News & Events

NACF HOSTS ITS FIRST NATIONAL CONVENING OF NATIVE ARTS AND CULTURES FIELD NOVEMBER 4-5

LARGE-SCALE MURAL PAINTINGS ARE CREATED AT NACF NATIONAL CONVENING

On November 4-5, in Portland, Oregon, during the national convening of the Native Arts and Cultures field, artists Bunky Echo-Hawk (Pawnee/Yakama) and Toma Villa (Yakama) were busy painting two murals that documented the gathering from their unique artistic perspective. Situated at the front of the room and to the left of the stage, the artists mesmerized convening participants as they worked. The result was two large-scale paintings that actually fit together as one piece, and were donated to the NACF.

Swinomish Canoe Journey

A spectacular site greeted participants and guests as more than 80 canoes paddled from all parts of the Puget Sound to arrive near LaConnor, Washington. The Journey culminated in dance, song, art, and a feast of salmon on the shores of the Swinomish Tribal Community.

Ke Kukui Foundation “Three Days of Aloha in the Pacific Northwest” Festival

The Ke Kukui Foundation’s “Three Days of Aloha in the Pacific Northwest” festival, was held on July 28-31 in Vancouver, Washington. Hawaiians and “Hawaiians at heart” pilgrimaged from around the globe to take part in the activities, which included a two-day one-of-a-kind workshop led by preeminent master Hawaiian instructors on dance, language, chant, history, current Hawaiian issues, music, and cultural crafts.

NACF Staff Site Visit to Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts

Crow’s Shadow is a non-profit organization that provides opportunities for Native Americans through artistic development. With an emphasis on contemporary, fine art printmaking, they also function as a venue to practice traditional Native art practices — weaving, bead working and regalia making — of the Plateau region.

Santa Fe Indian Market

The extremely popular Indian Market is widely known as the place where Native American art and culture meets the world. As a primary vehicle for showcasing Native American arts, the Market also serves as a principal means for advancing the careers of many of today's noted American Indian artists. The Native Arts & Cultures Foundation was a proud sponsor of the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) Santa Fe Indian Market.

Rupert Ayton Hired As The New Finance Director

Gloria Lee New Legacy Director

Alaska Native Heritage Center, Anchorage

On May 19, the Rasmuson Foundation hosted the NACF board and staff at a special evening reception at the Alaska Native Heritage Center, another 2010 grantee. The Rasmuson Foundation provided a generous $10,000 match to the $10,000 grant from the NACF in 2010, bringing the total award to $20,000. The Alaska Native Heritage Center is a globally renowned cultural facility that promotes and shares the rich heritage of Alaska’s 11 different cultural groups.

Alutiiq Museum and Archeological Repository, Kodiak

Sonya Kellier-Combs – A Visit with the Artist

Emily Johnson Wows Appreciative Guests at the Alaska Native Heritage Center

NACF Spends Time with 2010 Alaska Grantees During Spring Board Meeting in Anchorage

During the May meeting of the NACF’s Board of Directors in Anchorage, the staff and board of the NACF met with four of six of the Foundation’s 2010 grantees: conceptual artist Sonya Kelliher-Combs (Inupiaq/Athabascan); dancer and choreographer Emily Johnson (Yup’ik); the Alaska Native Heritage Center (Anchorage); and the Alutiiq Museum (Kodiak). “Words cannot express how much we enjoyed meeting with some of our Alaska grantees – it was a highlight of our visit,” said T. Lulani Arquette, NACF President and CEO.

Barron M. Tenny - New Board Member

Barron M. Tenny was formerly executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Ford Foundation since 1996. He joined the Foundation in 1983 as special assistant to the President and was made Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel in 1984.

W. Richard West, Jr. - New Board Member

W. Richard West, Jr., Founding Director and Director Emeritus, National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution.

Sven Haakanson - New Board Member

Sven Haakanson, New Native Arts & Cultures Foundation Board Member

Executive Director, Alutiiq Museum & Archaeological Repository

Susan Jenkins - New Board Member

Susan Jenkins New Native Arts & Cultures Foundation Board Member
Executive Director
Cherokee Preservation Foundation

Grantees: 2010 Artistic Innovation – Through the Soul of an Artist

Grantees: 2010 Strengthening the Arts and Cultures Infrastructure

Grantees: 2010 Mobilizing the Community Through the Arts

Capacity Building Initiative

The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Visits Washington D.C.

Walter Echo-Hawk Releases New Book

Native Arts and Cultures Foundation's Board Chair, Walter Echo-Hawk, released his new book titled,"In the Courts of the Conqueror: The 10 Worst Indian Law Cases Ever Decided."

Native Arts & Cultures Foundation Video

View Native Arts & Cultures Foundation video.

Special Announcement and Job Opportunities

Lulani Arquette CEO Message

View President CEO Lulani Arquette's message on Native Arts & Cultures grant making.

Foundation is Fully Operational

Foundation leaders have put together a talented team of staff to run the every day operations of the organization.

Keller George Joins the Board

Keller George (Oneida Nation) brings decades of experience to the board of trustees.

San Manuel Joins the Yocha Dehe Challenge

The Yocha Dehe Challenge continues to gain momentum.

Video Tells the Foundation's Story

Watch board members and artists discuss the importance of the Native Arts & Cultures Foundation.

Bunky Echo-Hawk Featured in Indian Country Today

Bunky Echo-Hawk, Pawnee and Yakama, was featured in Indian Country Today in March 2009.

News & Events

2011/2012 Grantees

2010/2011 Grantees