National Fellowship Funds Available for Native Artists

File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

A new round of fellowship awards are being offered by the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation.

Fellowships ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 will be awarded as part of an annual program to recognize the creativity and expression of exceptional native artists who have made significant impact in the field.

In past years, native Hawaiian artists Raiatea Helm, Kapulani Landgraf, Christen Marquez, Christopher K. Morgan and Cyril Pahinui were honored with this award.

This unique national fellowship honors excellence by native artists in six disciplines: dance, filmmaking, literature, music, traditional arts and visual arts.

“Through the fellowship program, we hope to foster the creative voices of our indigenous artists,” said foundation Program Director Reuben Tomás Roqueñi. “The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation believes in the beauty and inspiration of the work of native artists and the fellowships provide a significant resource for their practice.”

Artists who are members of federally and state-recognized US tribes, Alaska Native and native Hawaiian communities can review criteria in full and apply by the May 3 deadline at: http://nacf.us/2014-fellowships.

The foundation will announce award recipients in November 2013.

Since it was launched in 2009, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation has awarded more than $1.3 million in grants to 72 native artists and organizations in 20 states.

In addition to awarding native artist fellowships, NACF has also supported specific Hawai’i projects and organizations including: the Pa’i Foundation, the Hula Preservation Society, the Moku O Keawe Foundation, the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus, Kuleana ‘Oiwi Press and the Kahilu Theatre Foundation.