Black Hills Community Loan Fund in Partnership with Native POP: People of the Plains in Response to COVID-19 is Launching an Artist Business Development & Technology Program and is Seeking Applicants

(DECEMBER 15, 2020 - RAPID CITY, SD) — Black Hills Community Loan Fund (BHCLF), a Native community development financial institution (CDFI) located in Rapid City, is partnering with the local organization Native POP: People of the Plains to provide a unique approach to helping Native artists advance economically through the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, Indigenous artists are unable to sell their products through the typical public venues such as art festivals, pow-wows, and museums. Though this project artists will be offered opportunities to enhance their business.

BHCLF received the 2020 Native CDFI Seed Capital Award designed to assist with implementing a compelling project with great potential. BHCLF in partnership with Native POP a local native arts market and cultural celebration will use the Native CDFI Seed Capital Award to support Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota artists during this unprecedented time. BHCLF and Native Pop will be teaching Great Plains artists how to effectively strategize their business plan to meet today’s needs for social distancing and online sales.

Great Plains Fine Art Artists in need of a business plan, marketing or coaching on their current business strategy in order to promote and sell their art online are encouraged to apply. Space is limited to 20 Native POP Great Plains artists. Selection will begin early 2021 with services beginning in January.

Deadline to apply is December 31, 2020.

Services and education include:

— Business plan development, entrepreneurship class certification, merchant service set up, marketing services, website development, website hosting fees (up to one year), up to 10 hours website maintenance fees.

Applicants may apply at: https://artsrapidcity.wufoo.com/forms/zguik9y14t6p0x/

Or email info@nativepop.org for more information.

Black Hills Community Loan Fund is a 501(c)3, Native CDFI that is dedicated to creating financial opportunities for economically disadvantaged families who aim to strengthen their financial future in the Black Hills Region. BHCLF is located downtown Rapid City SD more information can be found at BHCLF.org.

Native POP is a 501(c)3 whose mission is to share cultures from the tribes of the Great Plains and further intercultural dialogue by organizing a successful Native art and cultural events in Rapid City, South Dakota.