Our Vision

Flourishing Native arts and cultures are essential to the overall integrity of the cultural landscape.

There are no words for art and culture in most indigenous languages spoken in the United States. In American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities, expressive arts are woven into daily life and ceremony. They are intrinsic to healthy community practices, language transmission, land stewardship and more.

What matters most to all Native communities are the uniquely rich cultures of each tribe, village and island peoples. In turn, tribal and Native cultures and living traditions provide the foundation for self-government—the very essence of tribal and Native sovereignty. Despite the importance of art and cultural practice to self-government, very few tribes and Native peoples are currently able to provide substantial financial resources to support their artists and culture-bearers.

The outcome of decades of exploration and visioning, the Native Arts & Cultures Foundation strives to make a lasting, positive impact on the arts, Native communities and society as a whole.

“The act of giving was part of the ‘gifting economy’ of the Northwest where one’s wealth was measured by generosity, good work and a good heart. That is the work of philanthropy too: It’s an honor to have plenty and to share. There is no lack when you have this process in place and the most important mindset to have while participating is gratitude, or giving thanks and promising to care for all, no matter what.”

Elizabeth Woody, Navajo/Warm Springs/Wasco/Yakama

K-12 Program Coordinator, Center for Coastal Marine Observation & Prediction