Native Artist Workshops in Oregon and Washington

Professional Development Workshops For Native Artists

(VANCOUVER, Wash.) – To meet the needs of practicing Native artists in the region, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF) is presenting free professional development workshops for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian artists in Portland, Ore., Olympia, Wash. and Warm Springs, Ore.

Through a targeted community assessment funded by the foundation and regional tribes, the Native-led, Vancouver-based national foundation identified a need for professional skills development in marketing for Native artists. NACF partnered with The Longhouse Education and Cultural Center at Evergreen State College and the Warm Springs Community Action Team (WSCAT) to offer three arts marketing workshops. “We want to be attentive to the community of Native artists and organizations in the Pacific Northwest where our offices are located,” said NACF President/CEO T. Lulani Arquette (Native Hawaiian). “We are delighted to work with Longhouse and Warm Springs Community Action Team staff to present these important workshops and are grateful for the support from Oregon and Washington tribes. Partnering is what it’s all about.”

Artists who attend will build skills in writing artist statements, pricing, strategies for breaking into the art market, website development and social media marketing. Designed for artists in visual and traditional arts – such as carving, beadworking, basketweaving and regalia making, the one-day workshops will be led by local Native artists with arts marketing expertise.

The Portland workshop will be held at Ecotrust on Saturday, Feb. 1. The Olympia workshop will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15, at The Longhouse on the Evergreen campus. The Warm Springs workshop will be held on Saturday, March 1, at The Museum at Warm Springs. Members of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities who would like to attend either one-day workshop may contact Lisa Watt (503-892-6560), Laura Grabhorn (360-867-6413) or visit: http://tinyurl.com/lw9w3jx. Registration is required and space is limited.

The free workshops are funded by the foundation and Native Nations of Washington and Oregon, including the Spirit Mountain Community Fund, the Nisqually, Puyallup, Quinault, Snoqualmie,Stillaguamish and Tulalip nations as part of the NACF Bridge Initiative for Native Arts. The Bridge Initiative funds cultural development through the arts in Native communities, and has funded artist residency programs, exhibits and arts education in Oregon, Washington and California.

About the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation

The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF) promotes the appreciation and perpetuation of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian arts and cultures through philanthropy. With the support of Native Nations, arts patrons and foundation partners, NACF awards individual artists, communities and arts organizations. In the last four years, NACF has supported 85 Native artists and organizations in 22 states, awarding $1,602,000 in assistance. To learn more, please visit: www.nativeartsandcultures.org.

About The Longhouse Education and Cultural Center at Evergreen State College

The Longhouse Education and Cultural Center at Evergreen State College promotes indigenous arts and cultures through seven ongoing offerings: Native Artist grants programs; Native arts marketing service, Native Artist gatherings; Native art sales and exhibitions; an Artist-in-Residence Program; the Northwest Heritage Program and the International Indigenous Artist Exchange Program. To learn more, please visit www.evergreen.edu/longhouse.

About the Warm Springs Community Action Team

The Warm Springs Community Action Team (WSCAT) alleviates poverty on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation and increases the economic viability, stability and self-sufficiency of community members and the community as a whole. Before organizing as an independent 501(c)(3) in 2007, the WSCAT was one of seven offices working together to eradicate poverty in Central Oregon. To learn more about this integral part of the Warm Springs community, please visit: www.warmspringsprogress.net.

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Dec. 20, 2013

Media Only:
Rupert Ayton
(360) 314-2421
rupert@nativeartsandcultures.org