Native American Arts Center

Since its founding in 1946, Idyllwild Arts has always been firmly rooted in respect for and reverence of Native American arts and culture. While the Summer Program has offered dynamic Native American Arts workshops and programming for over 70 years, the Native American Arts Center opened in 2022 to expand these offerings year-round, effectively establishing Idyllwild Arts as a leader in supporting Indigenous artistic expression and cultural affirmation. The center nurtures relationships with many Indigenous communities, provides access to arts education for Native students, and hosts a week-long Native American art festival. The center is dedicated to supporting Indigenous artists’ professional development in a safe space to connect with nature and create new works through artist residencies.

The 2026 Native American Arts Workshops will be held from June 8 – 26, 2026, and Festival Week will be taking place from Monday, June 15 – Saturday, June 20!

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Festival Week Events

Festival Week 2025 Images

Programs

The Native American Arts Center curates a robust calendar of workshops, performances, lectures, exhibitions, and other engaging community events led by Indigenous teaching artists, traditional knowledge bearers, and scholars in many fields who cross-pollinate their talents while providing valuable educational opportunities. All events are free and open to the public.

Workshops

2026 Summer Workshops Will Take Place June 8-27! Please click below for a full lineup of summer workshops!

Thought-provoking workshops stimulate conversations, empower creative contributions, and strengthen community.

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Festival Week

The Native American Arts Center produces and hosts the annual Native American Arts Festival Week, designed to enhance and add depth to the Summer Program workshop experience. The week-long Native arts festival provides a provocative learning experience by bringing together distinguished artists, scholars, and cultural specialists to present performances, demonstrations, films, exhibitions, showcases, and the popular Michael Kabotie Lecture Series.

The 2026 Native American Arts Festival Week will be taking place from Monday, June 15 – Saturday, June 20!

Festival Week 2026 Details

Festival Week 2025 Images

Lectures

Stimulating lectures by notable visiting guest artists regularly provide new perspectives, elevate discourse, and challenge traditional perspectives.

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Scholarships

Scholarships are available for Native American students.

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NAAC Building

Working with Sander Architects, the NAAC has plans to build a new physical space for the year-round programming already underway.

Are you interested in joining our Native American Arts Center Advisory committee? Please contact the Native American Arts Center Assistant at nativearts@idyllwildarts.org.

Featured Events

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Wed 17

Michael Kabotie Lecture Series and Native Foods Luncheon with Alexis Munoa Dyer (Pechanga Band of Indians, Payómkawichum Nation) | Native American Arts Festival Week

June 17 @ 12:00 pm PST

Festival Week

Michael Kabotie Lecture Series and Native Foods Luncheon with Alexis Munoa Dyer (Pechanga Band of Indians, Payómkawichum Nation) | Native American Arts Festival Week

IAF Campus: Krone Library

Alexis Munoa Dyer (Pechanga Band of Indians, Payómkawichum Nation) is an artist, poet, and author of “Nothing Without …

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Wed 17

Maara’yam: The Yuhaaviatam Story | Native American Arts Festival Week

June 17 @ 7:00 pm PST

Festival Week

Maara’yam: The Yuhaaviatam Story | Native American Arts Festival Week

The Rustic Theatre: 54290 N Circle Dr, Idyllwild

Join us for an exclusive screening of the powerful documentary that captures the true history of the Yuhaaviatam Clan of …

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Thu 18

Michael Kabotie Lecture Series and Native Foods Luncheon with Kimberly Blaeser (Anishinaabe, White Earth Nation) | Native American Arts Festival Week

June 18 @ 12:00 pm PST

Festival Week

Michael Kabotie Lecture Series and Native Foods Luncheon with Kimberly Blaeser (Anishinaabe, White Earth Nation) | Native American Arts Festival Week

IAF Campus: Krone Library

Kimberly Blaeser (Anishinaabe, White Earth Nation), is a Writer, Photographer, Scholar, and the Founding Director of …

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Thu 18

Hemyu’mu’kotsat: Honoring Indigenous Jazz Matriarchs | Native American Arts Festival Week

June 18 @ 7:00 pm PST

Festival Week

Hemyu’mu’kotsat: Honoring Indigenous Jazz Matriarchs | Native American Arts Festival Week

Bowman IAF Theater

Hemyu’mu’kotsat: Honoring Indigenous Jazz Matriarchs – Indigenous female Jazz musicians have been prolific, …

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Fri 19

Adult & Native American Art Center Summer Program Culmination

June 19 @ 4:00 pm PST

Parks Exhibition Center

Adult & Native American Art Center Summer Program Culmination

IAF Campus: Parks Exhibition Center

Join us for our Adult & Native American Arts Center Culmination for all 2D and 3D visual arts! Come celebrate our adult …

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Idyllwild Arts Land Acknowledgement

Idyllwild Arts respectfully acknowledges the Qawishpa Cahuillangnah (also known as Cahuilla Band of Indians) and all nine sovereign Bands of Cahuilla people who have stewarded this land throughout the generations and continue to steward this land for all future generations.

Our Living Land Acknowledgement, developed in partnership with and approved by the Cahuilla Band of Indians Tribal Council in 2019, reflects our ongoing relationship with local tribal communities and our active affirmation of Indigenous history, perspectives, and culture. Rooted in respect and reinforced by constant learning, the statement aligns with the greater values of our community and reminds us that acknowledgment must always be matched with action, awareness, and care.