Put Indian Market on firm footing

Santa Fe Indian Market — the largest juried Native artist show in the world — is no stranger to ups and downs. Over its nine-plus decades of existence, it has faced money shortfalls, staff turnover and other dilemmas, always managing to put on a successful show each summer.

Now, a move started a few years ago to open up the market to younger and more contemporary artists is causing its own turmoil. The physical space around the Santa Fe Plaza is limited; therefore, bringing in new artists has meant that some longtime artists are losing admittance into the juried show.

Some have expressed concern that the market — run by the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts — is breaking promises made to traditional artists, especially those from the Southwest. For years, artists granted tenure automatically gained entrance to market. Now, the entire show is juried, which supporters believe is a fairer process.

This year, however, several master artists did not make it through the jurying process, which has led to questions about its credibility. After the membership meeting last week, the leaders of SWAIA opened the doors to answer questions, with artists showing up to present their concerns.

Such discussions are both welcome and necessary, especially considering the news that was made at the meeting: SWAIA is running on tight financial margins. So tight, in fact, that Chairwoman Elizabeth Kirk raised the possibility of the market running out of money in as few as five years.

As we have said before, Indian Market needs to find a smoother transition between the operations of the past and its future. A jurying process that rejects a potter such as Robert Tenorio of Santo Domingo Pueblo is one that raises eyebrows; it just doesn’t make sense. For jurying to be trusted, there must be faith in the soundness of the process.

However, Executive Director Ira Wilson just joined SWAIA. It will be his job to examine the process and ensure that all is as it should be. But that’s not the only challenge SWAIA faces. More urgent than sorting out the jurying process is stabilizing the finances of Indian Market.

Attracting an estimated 120,000 visitors, Indian Market boosts the city’s economy, not just in August but all year. Many artists live in and around the city; they spend their paychecks here. It’s no exaggeration to state that Indian Market is one of the city’s larger economic engines.

If the market finances are in as bad a shape as Kirk reported, the city of Santa Fe should do what it would do for any other major employer faced with challenges: help them out.

According to reports at the membership meeting, SWAIA raised $1.18 million in 2017, with 45 percent coming from artist and booth fees. The annual fundraising gala and events brought in some 21 percent, and membership fees raised 9 percent. However, expenses of $1.3 million were greater than revenues by some $120,000. That puts the market on shakier ground than supporters would like.

Assistance from the city could take a number of forms. Officials could direct more lodgers tax money to the market, making revenue less uncertain.

The city also has experts on staff who might be available to brainstorm ways to attract other sources of funding — grants, corporate sponsors and the like. The city also could be easier to work with so that Indian Market could expand, adding vendors along side streets.

Adding artists would bring in money and mean fewer rejections. Area legislators, too, should look for state dollars to assist the market — why not use local economic development funds for this essential business? Tourism marketing dollars? The state also benefits from Indian Market’s booming business, after all.

Individuals and businesses can help, too. Buy SWAIA memberships or donate to the annual gala that raises money for the organization’s operating expenses. Volunteer at market. Hundreds of people, in addition to the paid SWAIA staff, help make the market possible. (The swaia.org website has information.)

A Santa Fe summer would not be the worldwide draw that it is without Santa Fe Indian Market. It needs our support as it figures out its path forward, both artistically and financially.