Northwoods Niijii Enterprise Community

Grantee:  Northwoods Niijii Enterprise Community
Location:  Lac du Flambeau, WI
Award:  Artist Networks and Convenings
Discipline:  Woodland Indian Arts Initiative
Web Site: http://www.woodlandindianartcenter.org/

Funding for the project supported a convening of artists, arts administrators, master artists, and culture bearers from the NiiJii communities and across the Woodland region for a 2-day gathering.

The focus of this convening was on sharing best practices, professional development training, networking, and the exchange of knowledge and technical skills. Highlighting the convening, NiiJii worked with First Peoples Fund and contracted with two facilitators for a one-day leadership and entrepreneurial development workshop for master artists. On the second day the convening invited 10 master artists and culture bearers from across artistic disciplines to share their artistic and cultural practices as well as their professional experiences as artists. The project contracted with two master artists from the board of directors at All My Relations Arts gallery in Minneapolis to prompt an exchange of ideas between rural and urban artists as well as arts organizations. The convening increased the opportunity for collaboration, exchange, and relationship building between individual artists and between artists and arts organizations. The gathering was also important in that it allowed artists who live and work in the same communities to reinforce collaboration and discuss important issues, sharing knowledge and expertise.