School for Advanced Research

School for Advanced Research. Founded in 1907, it is a prestigious non-profit research institute dedicated to advancing critical scholarship in the social sciences, humanities, and Native American arts. Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, its mission centers on supporting innovative thinkers through residential fellowships, collaborative projects, and public programs. The institution is renowned for its influential publications, its historic campus, and its role as a vital intellectual hub within the global academic community.

History

The origins trace back to 1907 with the establishment of the School of American Archaeology by a group of scholars including Annie Heloise Abel and supported by the Archaeological Institute of America. Initially focused on the study of the Southwestern United States, its early work involved significant excavations at sites like Pecos Pueblo under the direction of Alfred V. Kidder, a pioneer in the field of New World archaeology. In 1917, it was reorganized as the School of American Research, broadening its scope beyond archaeology. A pivotal moment occurred in 1970 when it moved to its current permanent home on the iconic Ely House estate in Santa Fe, a property once owned by Mabel Dodge Luhan, a prominent patron of the Taos Society of Artists. The institution adopted its present name in 2007 to better reflect its advanced, interdisciplinary focus, having long supported seminal work by figures like Florence Hawley Ellis and hosted conferences that shaped disciplines such as ethnohistory and visual anthropology.

Research and programs

Core activities center on the prestigious Residential Scholar Fellowships, which annually support a select group of scholars, artists, and writers from around the world working on projects in anthropology, art history, and related social sciences. The institution also administers the influential Indian Arts Research Center, which houses a significant collection of Native American art and fosters dialogue between scholars, artists, and tribal communities through its Artist Fellowship Program. Other key initiatives include the Seminar Program, which convenes experts for intensive discussions on pressing topics, and the Weatherhead Fellowship, established through the Weatherhead Foundation. Research often intersects with critical issues in cultural patrimony, museum studies, and Indigenous rights, contributing to global discourse at institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and influencing policy discussions.

Publications

It maintains a robust publishing division, SAR Press, which produces a distinguished list of scholarly books that have shaped academic discourse in multiple fields. Notable series include the advanced seminar volumes, which capture the proceedings of its renowned seminars, and monographs on topics ranging from Mesoamerican archaeology to contemporary globalization. The press has published seminal works by leading intellectuals such as Clifford Geertz, Keith H. Basso, and Ruth Behar. Additionally, it issues the quarterly magazine *SARCable* and occasional papers, ensuring the dissemination of research to both academic audiences and the broader public, often in partnership with major university presses like the University of Chicago Press.

Campus and facilities

The main campus is situated on a serene, wooded property in the Santa Fe foothills, featuring a collection of historic and modern buildings that blend Pueblo Revival architecture with functional research spaces. The centerpiece is the 1920s Ely House, a former residence that now contains administrative offices and meeting rooms. The campus also houses the state-of-the-art Indian Arts Research Center, which includes secure vaults for its collections, conservation labs, and the Katsina Gallery. Other facilities include the Eric S. Dobkin Boardroom, the Margaret Moses Gallery, and several secluded casitas that provide housing and workspace for resident fellows, creating an environment conducive to reflection and collaboration amidst the landscape of the American Southwest.

Notable people

Throughout its history, it has been associated with a remarkable array of scholars, artists, and leaders. Past presidents and directors include influential figures like Douglas W. Schwartz, who led the institution for decades, and James J. Hester. Renowned resident scholars have encompassed anthropologists such as Sherry Ortner, Renato Rosaldo, and Philippe Bourgois, as well as artists like Mateo Romero and Teri Greeves. The board of directors and advisory councils have included prominent individuals from academia, philanthropy, and the arts, such as Michele de Angelus and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation awardees, underscoring its deep connections to intellectual and cultural networks across the United States and beyond.

Category:Research institutes in the United States Category:Organizations based in Santa Fe, New Mexico Category:Anthropology organizations