A black and white photograph of the exterior of the Oglala Lakota Artspace building in Kyle, SD. The focal point of the photo is a steel sculpture outside of the building that symbolizes Lakota Star Knowledge.

Wicahpi Olowan (WO) Music Program based in Kyle, South Dakota, on the Pine Ridge Reservation, is a vibrant initiative that supports Indigenous artists. Through free workshops, concerts, jam sessions, and more, aspiring and existing musicians, singers, songwriters, and producers can thrive.

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PROGRAMS > wicahpi olowan

Wicahpi Olowan Music Program

Wicahpi Olowan (WO) Music Program based in Kyle, South Dakota, on the Pine Ridge Reservation, is a vibrant initiative that supports Indigenous artists. Through free workshops, concerts, jam sessions, and more, aspiring and existing musicians, singers, songwriters, and producers can thrive. Activities span diverse genres like hip-hop, rock, folk, and traditional Oglala Lakota music. The heart of it all is Oglala Lakota Artspace (OLA), an innovative art space fostering creativity and cultural preservation on the reservation. Join us in celebrating and uplifting Indigenous talent at WO Music Program!

A photograph of the Wicahpi Olowan Recording Studio and staffTwo Native musicians in the Wicahpi Olowan Music Program playing bass guitar with an amp in the foreground.A Native musician in the Wicahpi Olowan Music Program singing and playing a hand drum.Tiana Spotted Thunder (Oglala Lakota) singing in the Wicahpi Olowan Recording StudioA Native musician from Pine Ridge Indian Reservation playing an acoustic guitar in the Wicahpi Olowan Recording StudioOglala Lakota music artists, Terrance Jade and Conquest at the Wichapi Olowan Recording StudioA photograph of Talon Bazille Ducheneaux (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe) Manager, Wicahpi Olowan Music Program, sitting in the WO recording studio.The Carrion Crawlers, a garage rock band from Pine Ridge playing at the Wicahpi Olowan Jam SessionA musician singing into a microphone and playing keys. Wicahpi Olowan Music Program - Oglala Lakota Artspace.

LISTEN TO MUSIC PRODUCED AT THE OLA

Wicahpi Olowan Music Program Logo Mark - An "O" and a "W" inside a star quilt influenced shape.

Upcoming WO Events

Wicaglata Circles with Tiana Spotted Thunder

Wicaglata Circles with Tiana Spotted Thunder

The Wicaglata Learning Circle offers a safe space for winyan relatives interested in learning to sing and about Wicaglata protocol, societal importance, and more!
May 8, 2024
Wicaglata Circles with Tiana Spotted Thunder

Wicaglata Circles with Tiana Spotted Thunder

The Wicaglata Learning Circle offers a safe space for winyan relatives interested in learning to sing and about Wicaglata protocol, societal importance, and more!
May 22, 2024
Wicaglata Circles with Tiana Spotted Thunder

Wicaglata Circles with Tiana Spotted Thunder

The Wicaglata Learning Circle offers a safe space for winyan relatives interested in learning to sing and about Wicaglata protocol, societal importance, and more!
June 5, 2024
Wicaglata Circles with Tiana Spotted Thunder

Wicaglata Circles with Tiana Spotted Thunder

The Wicaglata Learning Circle offers a safe space for winyan relatives interested in learning to sing and about Wicaglata protocol, societal importance, and more!
June 19, 2024

Wicahpi Olowan Music Program Team

Our dynamic Wicahpi Olowan program team is passionately engaged in music and dedicated to supporting artists of all genres and ages. We foster community connections by linking aspiring Native artists, facilitating insightful exchanges, and assisting with project completion. Our workshops are led by experts, empowering artists to share their expertise in music creation, business, and beyond. Join us as we unite talents and enrich the world with a harmonious blend of knowledge and creativity.

A portrait of Talon Bazille Ducheneaux in the Wicahpi Olowan Recording Studio.

Talon Bazille Ducheneaux

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
Program Manager, Wicahpi Olowan Music Program
A portrait of Stella Standingbear

Stella Standingbear

Studio Coordinator, Wicahpi Olowan Music Program
A portrait of Tiana Spotted Thunder.

Tiana Spotted Thunder

Rapid City Mentor, Wicahpi Olowan Music Program
A portrait of Terrance Jade leaning against a wall with a mural outside of the Oglala Lakota Artspace.

Terrance Jade

Little Wound Youth Mentor, Wicahpi Olowan Music Program

wicahpi olowan music program parter

Playing For Change Foundation grew out of a common belief that music has the power to connect people regardless of their differences. Founded in 2007, PFCF was established to create positive change through music and arts education. Our work engages marginalized youth in diverse communities around the world, primarily located in low and lower-middle income countries. These communities are home to great cultural wealth, which we use to create educational and social opportunities.

questions about the program?

For any inquiries about the Wicahpi Olowan Music Program, reach out to us at wicahpi_olowan@firstpeoplesfund.org

Artist-In-Residency Program

The Oglala Lakota Artspace Artist-in-Residence Program is designed to support Oglala Lakota culture bearers and artists working in the continuum of Lakota art, historically, traditionally, and contemporarily, to develop their practice and build collaborations with local artists and the community.

residencies

Residencies are available for two to six weeks in 2023, including living accommodations, a food stipend, a workspace, a material stipend, transportation to and from the residency space, and uninterrupted time to concentrate on creative practice. The residency is open to Oglala Lakota visual artists, writers, composers, choreographers, interdisciplinary artists, performance artists, and collaborative teams, with established or emerging artists encouraged to apply.

Applications for 2023 have been closed. Subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about future application cycles.

OLA Artist-In-Residency living room with a gray couch and tv mounted to the wall.OLA Artist-In-Residency bedroom - a double bed against a wall with a window.OLA Artist-In-Residency kitchen with wood cabinets and modern appliances.

2023 Artists-In-Residence

The Oglala Lakota Artspace (OLA) is thrilled to introduce the talented Oglala Lakota artists selected for our inaugural Artist-in-Residence (AiR) program! This groundbreaking initiative aims to provide a nurturing environment for Oglala Lakota artists to showcase their artistic prowess, explore new horizons, and contribute to the rich tapestry of indigenous art.

We are proud to present this incredible group of artists, who embody the spirit and creativity of the Oglala Lakota community. Each artist brings a unique perspective and artistic style, promising a dynamic and engaging residency experience.

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Photograph of the Oglala Lakota Artspace with the Lakota Star Knowledge sculpture in the foreground and the OLA building in the background.

Oglala Lakota Artspace

The Oglala Lakota Artspace is the first community arts facility on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Kyle, South Dakota. The 8,500 square-foot space is dedicated and available to the large community of artists and culture bearers who live there.

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A photograph of the Rolling Rez Arts bus on a dirt road on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Rolling Rez Arts

Rolling Rez Arts is a state-of-the-art mobile arts space, business training center and bank in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, which helps ensure that people all acoss the reservation can access essential services and connect with the community.

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A portrait of William Underbaggage (Oglala Lakota) standing in front of a chalk board.

Artist-In-Residency Program

The Artist-in-Residence Program is designed to support Oglala Lakota culture bearers and artists working in the continuum of Lakota art, historically, traditionally, and contemporarily, to develop their practice and build collaborations with local artists and the community.

Explore >>