NMAI Grants for Artists

NMAI offers funding for Native American arts, including dance and costuming.

The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) offers a few different types of funding to qualified artists as part of its Indigenous Contemporary Arts program. Each grant offers a multi-faceted award to the receiving artist that includes a visit to the NMAI in Washington, D.C., as well as funding for a project that fits the award terms.

Types

The NMAI offers funding in three overall funding areas: the Artist Leadership and Emerging Artist programs, which engender support of native art in communities; the Exhibitions and Publications area, which supports exhibits and written materials that present, critique or otherwise discuss Native American art; and the Expressive Arts area, which helps Native American artists create and present new works.

Leadership and Emerging Artists

The leadership program features two subcategories: one for youth-oriented public art and one for teaching an artist workshop within the recipient's community. Applicants for Artist Leadership Program funding must be "an indigenous artist of the Western Hemisphere or Hawai'i who is recognized by their community and can demonstrate significant artistic accomplishments," according to the NMAI guidelines. Applicants for the college student form of Emerging Artist funding must be enrolled in a tribal college or Indian Studies program, while recipients for the high school Emerging Artist funding are the winners of each year's national Office of Indian Education's National Art Contest. The award for each artist in all categories includes travel to the NMAI for research into Native American art forms and history. While there, award recipients participate in interviews and teach workshops. The high school level Emerging Artist award includes travel expenses and a per diem for the student and a parent or guardian, as well as $250, as of January 2011. College artists receive $500 in addition to travel support. Artist Leadership Program awards include $7,000, to be used to create a community art project befitting the NMAI mission after the artist returns home.

Exhibitions and Publications

Nonprofit or educational organizations may apply for grants on a per-project basis. Exhibitions or publications chosen for funding through this NMAI program receive between $7,500 and $15,000 (2011 awards), half or more of which must be matched by funds from other sources. The funding may be used to cover artists, author and editor fees, but not travel or reception expenses for the projects. Award recipients are chosen based on project merit, audience appeal and the project's alignment with the NMAI's stated mission.

Expressive Arts

The NMAI Expressive Arts funding area supports groups of Native American artists who wish to work with other Native American artists in collaboration to present new works of art, particularly performance-related art such as theatrical productions, dance and music related to Native American history, culture and art. Non-native artists may work on the NMAI-funded projects, but a native artist must apply. Applicants must be indigenous and have American citizenship. Award amounts vary by project but may reach up to $10,000 as of January 2011.

Applications

Visit the NMAI Indigenous Contemporary Arts Program website (see Resources) and click on the link for the appropriate funding area. The website provides full application instructions, updated award amounts, deadlines and links to PDF application forms.

References

• NMAI Indigenous Contemporary Arts Program: Artist Leadership and Emerging Artist Programs
• NMAI Indigenous Contemporary Arts Program: Exhibitions and Publications
• NMAI Indigenous Contemporary Arts Program: Expressive Arts

Resources

• NMAI Indigenous Contemporary Arts Program: Program Overview