Native Arts @ NEFA / National Native Artist Exchange
The National Native Artist Exchange, a program of the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), is designed to support the exchange of artistic skills and knowledge among Native artists. American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian artists residing in any of the 50 United States may apply to teach, learn, and collaborate in traditional and/or contemporary Native art forms through travel from one region to another across the nation. The applicant must identify a collaborating artist and specific project as part of the exchange, which must be beneficial to both artists.
How much funding is available and what will it support?
Grants will be awarded up to $1,500 based on review of detailed requests and budgts appropriate to the scope of travel involved in the artist exchange. Awards will be based on standard reimbursement rates for economy class travel.
Funding may be used for travel expenses for Native artists to exchange with artists from other tribes/nations outside their own region to share, teach, and learn skills, do research and/or to develop collaborative projects. Acceptable expenses include lodging, meals, ground and air travel, and other direct costs of the artist exchange.
Examples of projects that will be considered:
A Lakota quill work artist would like to collaborate with a Micmac quill artist to create a piece to be included in a national exhibit.
A Wampanoag storyteller would like to exchange and collaborate with an Alaska Native storyteller to create an educational program as well as a cross cultural comparison of stories looking at contrasts and similarities region to region.
A Cherokee/Tuscarora potter residing in North Carolina would like to exchange techniques with a Tuscarora potter at a gathering in Connecticut, then travel to New York to conduct an additional exchange with another Tuscarora artist.
This program will not fund:
organizations
non-arts related projects
projects that do not involve artists exchanges between two Native artists from two different regions of the U.S.
How will funding decisions be made? Funding decisions will be based on the following criteria:
Artists involved demonstrate artistic skill, knowledge, accomplishment, and experience.
The project description is well defined and includes exchange between identified Native artists with planned objectives and specific purposes.
The project will have a lasting benefit to one or more Native communities, including exchange between Native communities to preserve and revive art forms and to encourage contemporary expression.
The project aligns with and enhances the overall purpose of Native Arts programming at NEFA which is to strengthen and build relationships between artists, increase the visibility of Native arts nationally, and to bridge and network artists from across the United States.
NOTE: Meeting application eligibility criteria does not guarantee a grant.
Application Details:
Applicants may receive one National Native Artist Exchange grant per NEFA fiscal year (June 1st through May 31st).
Deadline for Submission: Requests must be received by NEFA no later than two calendar months prior to the departure date of the proposed trip. Requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Funding decisions are made within one month of receipt of all complete application materials.
If awarded, grant funds are paid by check to the applying artist, and will require appropriate reconciliation and documentation (receipts) upon return from travel. Failure to supply complete documentation of actual travel expenses will disqualify applicant from future awards. Please be aware that unused funds must be returned.
How can I get assistance or more information on applying?
Grant application informational sessions will be offered at various points throughout the year. These sessions will offer guidance for understanding the Native Arts @ NEFA funding guidelines and preparation of proposals, as well as information about other NEFA programs and ways to identify and connect with other available resources. For more information on sessions or for assistance from staff, contact:
One completed National Native Artist Exchange Application form
A one-page narrative that summarizes the value of this opportunity to you as an artist. Include the significance of this travel and address the goals of the exchange.
A detailed budget, timeline, and planned outcomes
Applicant's résumé, artist statement, or biography
Collaborating artist's résumé, artist statement, or biography
Digital images of work (of applicant and collaborating artist), sent on a CD or emailed to nativearts at nefa dot org (10MB maximum file size per email)
Appropriate documentation of Native heritage for both the applicant and collaborating artist
Correspondence between artists confirming exchange
Notes to all applicants:
Be sure to make a photocopy of your application for your files.
Mail application materials to:
New England Foundation for the Arts | Native Arts @ NEFA |
145 Tremont Street, 7th Floor | Boston, MA 02111
Applications that are late, incomplete, or sent by fax or email will not be considered. NEFA is not responsible for applications lost in transit.
Contact Information:
For more information about the National Native Artist Exchange, email dspears at nefa dot org or call NEFA at [617] 951-0010 ext. 525.
