Dallin Maybee Stepping Down as Leader of SWAIA

SANTA FE, N.M., Dec. 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dallin Maybee will step away from his role as Chief Operating Officer at Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) in February of 2018.

"It has been a distinct honor to serve as director for Santa Fe Indian Market. I believe whole-heartedly in this institution and the vital role it serves promoting Native arts and culture, and preserving traditions that are at the core of our identity as Native people," said Maybee.

An award-winning artist and member of the SWAIA Board, Maybee, who is Northern Arapaho and Seneca, accepted a 3-year contract as COO at the end of 2014, after serving as interim director for almost a year. He regained the trust of artists after a previous period of turmoil for the organization.

Maybee leaves SWAIA stabilized for the run-up to its 100^th anniversary in 2021, with a seasoned staff, greater institutional memory, improved relationships, and the ability to claim with 100% accuracy that it is a fully-juried show.

In 2016, Maybee and the SWAIA Board ended an inconsistently applied tenure program which allowed hundreds of artists to bypass the jurying process. Originally meant to last only a few years, the policy was left in place for decades beyond its original intent.

"I'm proud that now, every artist who applies to Indian Market has a fair shot," Maybee said.

SWAIA gave a full year's notice of the change and did on-site outreach in several remote communities, understanding that many long-time artists would be nervous about having to be juried in. These efforts built bridges to artists who felt they might get left behind. Maybee will stay in his position until the end of February to oversee the jury process and provide continuity for his replacement.

Elizabeth Kirk, SWAIA Board Chair, said, "Dallin is leaving us in fantastic shape. He has ensured we are on stable ground before leaving."

Elizabeth Pettus, SWAIA Board Secretary, confirmed, "We have nothing but respect and gratitude for him."

The 97^th annual Indian Market will take place on August 18-19, 2018. It will host 1,00 artists and over 100,00 visitors. Artist applications are due on January 19.

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ABOUT SWAIA: 

Mission Statement: Bringing Native arts to the world by inspiring artistic excellence, fostering education, and creating meaningful partnerships.

The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) is a non-profit organization supporting Native American arts and culture. It creates economic and cultural opportunities for Native American artists by producing and promoting the Santa Fe Indian Market, the biggest and most prestigious Indian art event in the world since 1922; cultivating excellence and innovation across traditional and non-traditional art forms; and developing programs and events that support, promote, and honor Native artists year-round. swaia.org 

SOURCE Southwestern Association for Indian Arts

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http://swaia.org/