SUPPORT FOR NATIVE ARTISTS

Vancouver, Wash. ¬ American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian artists are encouraged to apply for the 2014 Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Artist Fellowships before May 3. This unique national fellowship honors excellence by Native artists in six disciplines: dance, filmmaking, literature, music, traditional arts and visual arts.

Ranging from $10,000 to $20,000, the fellowships awarded by the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF) recognize the creativity and expression of exceptional Native artists who have made significant impact in the field. In past years, artists living in the Midwest, including Bobby Bullett (Chippewa), Brent Michael Davids (Mohican), Emily Johnson (Yupik), Bennie Klain (Navajo), Ronald Paquin (Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa) and Rosy Simas (Seneca) were honored with this award.

"Through the fellowship program, we hope to foster the creative voices of our indigenous artists," said foundation Program Director Reuben Tomás Roqueñi (Yaqui/Mexican). "The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation believes

in the beauty and inspiration of the work of Native artists and the fellowships provide a significant resource for their practice."

Artists who are members of federally and state-recognized U.S. tribes, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities can review criteria in full and apply by the May 3 deadline at: http://nacf.us/2014-fellowships. The

foundation will announce award recipients in November 2013. For questions and technical support, contact Program Director Reuben Roqueñi: reuben@nativeartsandcultures.org or 360-314-2421.

Since it was launched in 2009, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation has awarded $1,341,000 in grants to 72 Native artists and organizations in 20 states. In addition to awarding Native artist fellowships, NACF has funded

organizations including the American Indian Center of Chicago, the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums of Oklahoma City, the First People¹s Fund in Rapid City, S.D. and the Northwoods Niijii Enterprise Community in Flambeau, Wis. Created after decades of visioning among the nation¹s first peoples with the support of the Ford Foundation and others, NACF is a national charity solely dedicated to supporting the revitalization, appreciation and perpetuation of Native arts and cultures.

To learn more about the foundation¹s mission and past fellows awarded, visit http://www.nativeartsandcultures.org.