Native Arts @ NEFA / National Native Artist Exchange
The National Native Artist Exchange, a program of the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), provides support for Native artists residing in any of the 50 United States to travel to different regions of the country so that they may exchange artistic knowledge and skills with other Native artists. This fund is designed to encourage and assist American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian artists, and provides an opportunity for Native artists to teach, learn, and collaborate in traditional and/or contemporary Native art forms through travel from one region to another across the nation.
How much funding is available and what will it support?
Travel grants will be awarded up to $1500 based on review of detailed requests and budgets appropriate to the scope of travel. 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.
Examples of projects that the National Native Artist Exchange may support:
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 Alaskan Native storyteller to create an educational program as well as a cross cultural comparison of stories looking at contrasts and similarities region to region.
How will funding decisions be made? Funding decisions will be based on the following eligibility 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 travel grant per 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 application receipt.
If awarded, grant funds are paid by check to the applying artist, and will require appropriate reconciliation and documentation (receipts) upon return from travel. Release of funds to attend events, conferences, symposia, markets, etc., is contingent upon receipt of a confirmation such as an acceptance letter or registration verification. Failure to supply complete documentation of actual travel expenses will disqualify applicant from future awards. Please be aware that unused funds must be returned.
One completed copy of the 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 exchange goals
A detailed budget, timeline, and planned outcomes
A résumé for yourself and information on the Native artist(s) you will be working with in another community.
Written correspondence between applicant and artist to whom he/she is exchanging
Images of art work (work samples) related to the project from all artists involved (photos or slides; CDs and DVDs accepted)
Copy of documentation that the applicant is an affiliate of a United States tribe
A letter of support from a Native-led organization (optional, but recommended)
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, National Native Artist Exchange
145 Tremont Street, 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02111
Incomplete applications or applications 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@nefa.org or call NEFA at [617] 951-0010 ext. 525.
