This Santa Fe arts college could lose almost all its federal funding. Here’s why.

The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), one of the few post-secondary institutions in New Mexico’s capital city, could see its funding slashed by almost 80% as the Trump administration eyes further cuts to higher education institutions, public education and now those that are affiliated with tribes.

The Santa Fe-based art school, which serves over 1,000 students and has a staff of over 100 people, 79% and 42% of whom are Native American, respectively, could lose some $13.4 million in federal funding of its overall budget of roughly $17 million.

On Tuesday, ProPublica reported that the Trump administration, via a budget request on its way to Congress from the Department of the Interior, was looking to cut 90% of funding for the 37 tribal colleges and universities across the country — one of which is IAIA.

The cuts are part of a broader Trump Administration push to cut programs targeted at diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and other programs the administration deems wasteful, such as foreign aid. The administration has touted some $2.3 billion in savings from DEI cuts and $8.3 billion in savings annually that went to some of the poorest nations in the world.

“We will terminate every diversity, equity, and inclusion program across the entire federal government,” Trump said in an executive order promising to eliminate every government program helping “underrepresented” populations in the U.S.

U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., who is an ex officio non-voting member on the IAIA board of trustees, did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

IAIA President Robert Martin said in a phone interview Wednesday that they had been bracing for the cuts.

“We knew it was going to happen sometime but to tell you the truth, we were hoping that somehow we were going to remain in the budget,” he told the Journal. “We were trying to make sure this didn’t happen, but it has happened, and we’re well-prepared to deal with it, and we’re confident that we’re going to prevail in the end.”

Martin expressed confidence that the school would remain funded through the coming fiscal year, stating that he’s been reassured by the New Mexico congressional delegation that “they are going to fund us at the level of funding that we requested” and that the presidential administration’s proposed cuts could meet legal challenges. Still, Martin acknowledged that the looming cuts could have an impact on the campus community.

“It is scary, but I think they want to instill fear, and these are challenging times for all of us,” Martin said. “Uncertainty creates a lot of stress and anxiety among our faculty, staff and students.”

The Bureau of Indian Education Central Office, a department housed within the Department of the Interior, did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

“We know federal funding cuts have already hit New Mexico’s higher education institutions. Currently, the New Mexico Higher Education Department is working closely with all public colleges and universities throughout the state, including the state’s four tribal colleges, to track changes that may impact current and future federal funding,” Auriella Ortiz, spokesperson for the New Mexico Higher Education Department, wrote in a statement. “During these unpredictable times, we will continue to support students at the Institute of American Indian Arts and other tribal colleges across the state.”

In March, Martin penned a campus-wide letter ahead of spring break addressing federal concerns and wrote “During my more than 17-year tenure as President, IAIA’s budget has been reduced only once.” He also noted additional reasons for students and staff to remain optimistic and pointed to some actions the school was taking to mitigate federal effects.

“We have drawn down the maximum allowable funding amounts for each of our federal grants. Given the intent of several of the Executive Orders to terminate federal workers and programs, freeze federal hiring, reduce federal funding, and pausing certain federal grants,” Martin wrote. “We must remain vigilant.”