OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums (ATALM), in partnership with Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+), today announced the launch of the Native Craft Artist Readiness Program (NCARP), a six-month program that provides training, resources, and financial support to build sustainable craft art business practices.
Funding from CERF+, and the Ford and Windgate Foundations will support up to 20 Native Craft Artists. Craft artists are defined as people who produce hand-crafted objects such as pottery, baskets, jewelry, beadwork, quilts, and other items.
Participating artists, selected through a national application process, will receive online training and access to a network of coaches, peers, and resources. Artists completing the program will receive up to $10,000 to implement the skills and strategies gained through the program.
To support the craft artists, up to five artists with successful careers will serve as coaches or mentors. The coaches will receive national recognition for their leadership and generosity.
Applications are due by September 30, 2023. Selected Artists and Coaches will be notified by October 16, 2023. More information is available at https://www.atalm.org/node/628.
ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION OF TRIBAL ARCHIVES, LIBRARIES, AND MUSEUMS
The Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM) is an international association dedicated to preserving and advancing the language, history, culture, and lifeways of Indigenous peoples. Founded in 2010, ATALM maintains a network of support for Indigenous cultural programs, provides professional development training, enables collaboration among tribal and non-tribal cultural institutions, and advocates for programs and funding to sustain the cultural sovereignty of Native Nations. To learn more, visit http://www.atalm.org
ABOUT CERF+ — THE ARTISTS SAFETY NET
Since 1985, CERF+ has assisted thousands of professional artists working in craft disciplines with emergency financial assistance as well as resources and educational programs for any studio-based artist designed to strengthen and sustain their careers. CERF+ has endeavored to assure the well-being and success of individual artists, but also, through research and advocacy, to advance the needs and status of the craft field in general. CERF+ has developed the expertise and reputation as the “go to” organization for artists working in craft disciplines. Over this time, CERF+ has become a respected leader on the national arts scene, advocating for improving the overall safety net for U.S. artists before, during, and after disasters through its leadership of the National Coalition for Artists Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER).
ABOUT THE FORD FOUNDATION
The Ford Foundation is an independent, nonprofit grant-making organization with assets currently valued at $16 billion. For more than 85 years it has worked with courageous people on the frontlines of social change worldwide, guided by its mission to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. With headquarters in New York, the foundation has offices in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
