First Peoples Fund’s Native Performing Arts Program is designed to support Native performing artists—emerging and established—in developing and enhancing their artistic skills and knowledge. The program strives to provide Native performing artists more equitable access to the resources they need to enhance their creations and careers. This includes funding, mentoring, financial capability, and business development training aligned with their cultural values.

Our focus on this work originates from and is informed by our past work with Native performing artists and key findings from our 2022 Brightening the Spotlight report:

• Current funding and presenting opportunities do not meet the needs of many Native creators.
• Native creators want and deserve to work with partners who treat them as professionals and who trust in their creative decision-making.
• Over half of the interviewees recommend that more Natives and culturally knowledgeable non-Natives be involved in funding decisions.
• Native creators do more than perform. Native creators play a wide range of roles in their communities, keeping traditions alive, promoting health and economic opportunities and educating non-Native audiences

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 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. 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.

The Native Performing Arts Production Grant (NPAP) supports Native-led performing arts productions that include multiple Native performers and artists. “ Production” means the artist(s) are actively engaged in creating a live piece of work, either in person or virtual. Productions can include: theatrical plays, Indigenous fashion shows, touring for Native performance groups, performances in Native communities, and other forms of live performance that may not fit into conventional performance categories (such as festivals, concerts, and fairs).

We offer two-day (8 hours per day) workshops in communities everywhere, designed to give Native performing artists real-world tools and detailed resources to navigate the arts industry and become successful entrepreneurs. We provide outreach and marketing support, experienced trainers and curriculum and class materials, while you provide the venue. Our new performing arts program 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.

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.

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.