About NAEB
The Native Arts Ecology Building Grant is a powerful tool that enables us to extend our impact beyond individual artists by supporting Native nonprofit organizations, including Native Community Development Financial Institutions (NCDFIs) in their efforts to uplift Native artists in their communities. Our cohort-based grant program provides nonprofits with tools to uplift Native artists in their communities, identify opportunities for them to thrive and highlight their value to the wider fabric of Native communities. This grant is available by invitation only.
In 2018 we published a report detailing the results of our work with Native Arts Ecology Building Grant grantees, Investing in the Indigenous Arts Ecology. This report builds off of what we learned from our 2013 market study, Establishing a Creative Economy: Native Arts as an Economic Engine.
What is the Indigenous Arts Ecology?
First Peoples Fund defines Indigenous Arts Ecology as a relationship-based, collective system of arts ecosystems, grounded in ancestral knowledge and inclusive of environments, spirit, people and lifeways.
Indigenous Arts Ecosystems are the local or regional communities of individuals, formal and informal networks, resources, cultural infrastructure, organizations and businesses that interact as a system and provide support to Indigenous artists and culture bearers. These ecosystems are led by artists and culture bearers whose art and lives embody the values, traditions and aspirations of their communities.
These concepts inform our Native Arts Ecology Building Grant, encouraging organizations to reach beyond how artists drive creative economies and emphasizing their value to the wider fabric of Indigenous communities, environments and traditions.
KEY INFORMATION
contact
Fox Spears, Program Manager of Fellowships, fox@firstpeoplesfund.org
Native Performing Arts Fellowship
The Native Performing Arts Fellowship (NPA) supports Native performing artists, emerging and established, to develop and enhance their skills and knowledge of their craft.
The FPF’s Native Performing Arts Fellowship provides grants of up to $10,000 for Native individuals who practice/work within the performing arts landscape (theater, dance, music, etc.). This is not a project based grant. Developing or completing a creative project can be a component of the fellowship, but does not need to be the primary goal or outcome. This fellowship also includes professional development opportunities such as a tailored Native Arts Professional Development (NAPD) curriculum that provides a variety of tools and resources for performing artists’ needs, guidance from industry professionals, and access to FPF’s annual multi-day fellowship convening to network with other artists across various mediums.
Key Information
Grant amount: $10,000
Applications window: Aug. 12 - Sept. 23 (2024)
Award Year: 2025
2025 NPAP FELLOWS
questions?
If you have questions about the Native Performing Arts Program, reach out to us at, natalie@firstpeoplesfund.org
Native Performing Arts Live Production Grant
The Native Performing Arts Live Production Grant (LPG) program supports Native-led live performing events and performances that include multiple Native performers and artists. “Live Production” means the artist(s) are actively engaged in creating a live performance, either in person or virtually. Live Productions can include: Original or re-adapted theatrical plays, touring for Native performance groups, performances taking place in Native communities, and other forms of live performance that may not fit into conventional performance categories (such as music festivals, concerts, and fairs).
The LPG Grant offers a one-year $30,000 grant to individual Native performing artists and Native-led performing arts organizations/businesses/collectives with experience presenting live productions. LPG is intended to support live productions in the ACTIVE stages of production. Proposed live productions that are still in development, either in writing retreats or workshops, will not be considered.
PLEASE NOTE
- Film productions, either short or full-length feature, are NOT eligible at this time
- Only one application may be submitted to the Performing Arts Program. If you are an individual artist applying for the Live Production Grant, you may not also apply for a 2026 Native Performing Arts Fellowship
Key Information
Grant amount: $30,000
Applications window: May 19, 2025 - June 18, 2025
Award Year: 2026
2025 NPA Production grantees
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about the Native Performing Arts Program, feel free to contact: natalie@firstpeoplesfund.org
Native Performing Arts - Native Arts Professional Development
We offer two-day (8 hours per day) workshops in Native communities nationwide, designed to give Native performing artists real-world tools and detailed resources to navigate the arts industry and become successful entrepreneurs. Partnering with a Native-led organization, we provide outreach and marketing support, experienced trainers, curriculum, and class materials. Our new performing arts curriculum helps performing artists achieve their transformational potential, build capacity alongside fellow community members and artists, and position themselves for business and career success.
Together we create more opportunities for Native performing artists.
Native Artist Professional Development Training
Our two-day program is designed for performing artists at any stage of entrepreneurship by providing knowledge, tools, and confidence to navigate professional careers. Our values-based education recognizes the business of art and expression as cultural leadership, helping artists actualize their vision of success.
Community-Based Certifications
Our program also certifies participants as Native Arts Professional Development trainers, suitable for financial and non-profit professionals looking to work with performing artists, as well as artists aspiring to become mentors. The program offers expertise to artists interested in starting or growing a business.
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions about the Native Performing Arts Program, reach out to us at, natalie@firstpeoplesfund.org