Professional Development Workshops

Upcoming Workshops:

  • Coming Soon

For more information contact

Mike Jackson
First People's Fund
(605)348-0324

THE PURPOSE:

This program gives Native artists the tools and support they need to manage entrepreneurial businesses in order to achieve economic success and grow as leaders in their tribal communities. Our curriculum begins by helping artists express their own vision and indigenous values, including generosity, wisdom, respect, integrity, strength, fortitude and humility. These ultimately become the foundation of their businesses.  Our goal is to enable Native artists to make a living from their art through sales locally, regionally and nationally, allowing them to sustain themselves, their families and their communities.

THE STRATEGY:

This comprehensive, hands-on training experience enhances Native artists' business skills set and prepares them for their journey toward becoming successful artist entrepreneurs.  Our curriculum is specifically designed with Native artists in mind.  At its core, it nurtures in each the Collective Spirit® — that which manifests self-awareness and a sense of responsibility to sustain the cultural fabric of a community.

Two day, intensive workshops take Native artists on a journey developing and enhancing practical skills in order to:

  • Express their personal vision and values that will ultimately become the principal foundation of their businesses.
  • Determine their art marketing, business and financial management abilities using a series of self-assessment tools.
  • Plan and set goals leading to weekly and monthly and annual business calendars.
  • Budget and establish a successful pricing structure.
  • Market their business using a variety of approaches and tools.
  • Complete a marketing plan.
  • Stand up and make a difference in their tribal communities, passing on cultural values and ancestral knowledge to the next generation.

Our curriculum development team included First Peoples Fund alumni artists, curriculum development specialists, art gallery owners/operators and Native entrepreneurs who created a unique tool kit specifically for Native artist entrepreneurs. The materials within the curriculum were developed under the guidance of First Peoples Fund's Board of Directors, Advisors, Fellows, Alumni, and Mentors over a decade of working with Native artists.

We also offer this program on a fee-for-service basis to state arts councils, nonprofits arts service organizations, and Native Community Development Financial Institutions (NCDFIs— which operate as nonprofit lenders to provide effective loan and financial literacy services to artists and tribal governments).