Strengthening the Arts & Cultures Infrastructure
NACF has identified existing Native arts service organizations working in the field throughout the US, Alaska and Hawaii. Through grantmaking and convening, NACF will work to increase the capacity of these organizations whose work is vital to the support of Native artists and arts organizations. This is a closed call. As the foundation grows, NACF will work to broaden its support of organizations in the Native arts and culture sector.
In a broad sense, NACF is a natural outgrowth and nexus point of several powerful emerging and mature movements: indigenous peoples’ cultural revitalization and self-determination, social justice philanthropy, and environmentalism. In particular, NACF is most closely part of a convergence of developments relating to the resurgence of Native arts and cultures. This includes a critical mass of organized efforts, the beginning of networks, strengthening of Native-led philanthropy, and the articulation of both shared concepts and controversial issues faced by the Native arts and cultures field. There is artistic and cultural exchange occurring between Native artists and Native communities in the United States and other countries as well. There is a palpable sense that this is a chrysalis-like moment for the field of Native arts and cultures. In this spirit, we are offering support for native arts organizations providing programming and services for native arts and culture activities in the communities and regions they serve.
