The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation believes in the power of fostering beneficial alliances between indigenous artists. In keeping with this commitment, we are thrilled to announce that on June 1 and 2, 2017, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation is convening its 2016 cohort of National Artist Fellows in Portland, Oregon. This landmark event brings 20 nationally recognized artists of diverse backgrounds to the City of Roses for two days of networking, collaboration, and the development of artistic and cultural practices, including some of NACF’s past Fellows.
Native identity is tied to community, family, and homeland. Learning from each other, and adapting to each other, is engrained in Native life. While this is not NACF’s first convening of thought leaders and creatives, it does represent our first gathering dedicated to a cohort of National Artist Fellows. We have diligently listened to our artists and their needs in order to construct a responsive, supportive and intimate two-day gathering in which we hope conversation and creativity will flourish. In addition the attending artists, we are honored to include so many notable session moderators within the program:
- John Haworth (Cherokee), Director Emeritus of Public Programs for the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institute
- Joy Harjo (Mvskoke Nation), Author & Musician
- Rebecca Dobkins, Curator of Native American Art of the Hallie Ford Museum of Art and Professor of Anthropology at Willamette University
- Ernestine Hayes (Lingit Nation), Author and Alaska State Writer Laureate
Including several former NACF Artist Fellows:
- Christopher K. Morgan (Native Hawaiian), 2013 Dance
- Kelly Church, Grand Traverse Band Ottawa Chippewa, 2015 Traditional Arts
- Marie Watt, (Seneca), 2011 Visual Arts
- Stephen Qacung Blanchett (Yup’ik), 2015 Music
- Kaili Chun (Native Hawaiian), 2014 Visual Arts
The mutual heredity of Native artists is a foundation for unified advocacy for support of Native artists. In our work to promote the revitalization, appreciation and perpetuation of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian arts and cultures, we are grateful for the local support of this event from the Portland Art Museum, The Hilton Downtown Portland, Devil’s Food Catering, and videographer Anthony Lopez.
Our artists, culture bearers, staff and patrons extend their sincere appreciation to the Ford Foundation, whose support of the National Artist Fellows program empowers us with greater connectivity and community engagement as well as the education and tools to generate success.