The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) has appointed Mary Deleary (Chippewas of the Thames First Nation) as the new director of its Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, effective October 19. Deleary, a graduate of IAIA with a BFA in Museum Studies in 2010 and a PhD in Native American Art History from the University of Oklahoma, brings deep expertise in Anishinaabe leadership practices, Indigenous research methodologies, and archives and collection development. She is no stranger to the museum she will now lead, having been a student intern there years ago, an experience that highlighted the museum's role in supporting Indigenous artists, students, and communities.

Meanwhile, Kinosaito has named Tsuyu Bridwell and Natsuki Takauji as the artists in residence for the upcoming fall residency program. Bridwell's practice, drawing on her Korean and Japanese heritage, explores ancestral beliefs through traditional craft, sculpture, and nature-inspired installations. Takauji creates a range of work, from metal sculpture and multimedia pieces to public art, engaging themes such as memory, sexuality, and trauma.

These appointments reflect the ongoing commitment to Indigenous representation in the art world, a move that resonates with both cultural preservation and contemporary expression. As curators, Deleary, Bridwell, and Takauji will play pivotal roles in shaping the narrative of Native American art for future generations.

The Boston Public Art Triennial’s curatorial team, Kinosaito fall artist residents, and Mariah Carey’s “Last Supper” selfie may seem unrelated, but together they underscore the diverse and dynamic landscape of contemporary art, where Indigenous voices are increasingly at the forefront.