Native Arts

About Native Arts

NEFA's Native Arts program supports Native American artists and organizations in New England and nationally through grantmaking and network development. Together, these build regional and national support structures to help Native artists reach broader audiences, connect with new markets for their work, and gain access to financial resources. Advised by Native artists and Native Arts professionals, the program also has Native leadership at both the staff and board levels. 

View background information on NEFA's Native Arts program.

Grant Programs

Two types of funding are available:

• National Native Artist Exchange supports the exchange of artistic skills and knowledge among Native artists.
• Native Arts New England supports Native artists and organizations residing in the six New England states, with a focus on arts projects that involve or benefit New England communities.
  

Services

• Application assistance is available from program staff at any time. Contact staff with questions regarding guidelines and application process, as well as alternate ways to identify and connect with other available resources. Grant workshops are also available throughout the year. View NEFA's events calendar for upcoming workshop dates and locations.
• Native Arts Gatherings, held twice a year, are day-long convenings centered on artist professional development, discussion around Native arts topics, and opportunities for networking and sharing artwork. View NEFA's events calendar for upcoming gathering dates and locations.
• The Native Arts Forum on the NEFA Network is a community on NEFA's website for Native artists and others to discuss topics relating to Native arts and share and post information. Visit the forum today!
• NEFA is building an online Native Artist Directory, a database of Native artists in New England. View the directory and be included!
  

The Ford Foundation is a leading funder of NEFA’s Native Arts program. The Ford Foundation is an independent, nonprofit grant-making organization. For more than half a century it has worked with courageous people on the frontlines of social change worldwide, guided by its mission to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. With headquarters in New York, the foundation has offices in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.