About the Foundation

The Native Arts & Cultures Foundation (NACF) is a permanently endowed national organization dedicated exclusively to the revitalization, appreciation, and perpetuation of indigenous arts and cultures. Primarily Native-led and national in scope, NACF supports American Indian, Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native artists and communities.  Through grantmaking, convening, and research NACF provides support to the field, fostering creativity amongst Native peoples.

“After years of planning, it’s thrilling to embark on our journey to strengthen Native arts and cultures,” said Lulani Arquette, president and chief executive officer of the NACF. “The arts have always played a significant role in Native cultures, and are a powerful path for connecting one generation to the next. It’s our mission to provide financial support to artists and organizations to help our cultures flourish. We look forward to creating opportunities to emphasize the shared values of Native communities.”

The NACF announced it's first grants in 2010/2011, awarding $394,000 to 26 individuals and organizations and 2011/2012, increasing its support to the field, awarding $510,000 to 28 artists and organizations. The program operates within three focus areas:

• Support for Individual Artists
• Support for Communities
• Support for the Field

In 2011, NACF hosted it's first National Native Arts Convening, aptly named "Strengthening the Bones", bringing together over 100 participants, hailing from 25 different states and representing dozens of indigenous nations. Participating organizations hailed from local, regional, and national areas of service and represented a cross section of arts services organizations, cultural centers, museums, artists and artist collectives, foundation and government funding agencies, both Native and non-Native, sharing a common interest in supporting indigenous arts and culture.