Home ›

Mobilizing the Community Through the Arts

There is no question, arts and culture define us as Native peoples and that our communities are most healthy when arts and culture are thriving. For NACF, addressing community vitality begins within this framework.

 

*This opportunity is now closed to new inquiries. If you did not submit an Eligibility Self Evaluation Tool by May 28, 2010, please look for an announcement in the fall about next years funding initiatives. 

See criteria and guidelines at left

Grants up to $20,000

Cultural vitality to cultural continuity:
  • The support of arts and culture will realize the continuity of traditional practices, language, and cultural expressions.
  • The understanding and participation in culture, community identity and Native history creates healthy communities and forges strength in a complex world.
  • Informed by tradition and with the integration of non-native worldviews in our communities, our cultural knowledge evolves. Passing the fire from one generation to the next is of vital importance.
  • The arts contribute to community resiliency and help communities find creative solutions to complex problems and to heal from traumatic events.
Native and tribal leaders, community organizers, and culture bearers are increasingly recognizing the arts as an effective anchor for community engagement and revitalization. In this spirit, we are offering awards for community based projects that involve the continuity and expression of cultural knowledge and artistic practices. With an arts based approach, projects may address issues around land stewardship, social justice, education or other community issues. Projects may take the form of community arts participation which incorporate heritage practice, language and story preservation, cultural mapping, traditional arts apprenticeships, public art, cultural celebrations and festivals, programs that engage youth, or projects that encourage civic dialogue. The intention is to expand, enrich and better understand the many forms that the continuity of arts and cultural practice can take.