::   PROGRAM OVERVIEW
::   EXHIBITIONS AND PUBLICATIONS This Program has been discontinued. No applications are being accepted.
::   Expressive Arts This Program has been discontinued. No applications are being accepted.
::   Artist Leadership Program
           ARTIST LEADERSHIP
              - FUNDING AREA
              - ELIGIBLITY
              - HOW TO APPLY
              - SELECTION PROCESS
::   Award Recipients

FUNDING AREA: ARTIST LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

The Artist Leadership Program enables indigenous artists to research, document, network, and then return to their home communities empowered with new artistic skills and techniques to share with their community and the general public the value of Native knowledge through art. This program aims to rebuild cultural self-confidence, enable artists to think more broadly about themselves and their art while perpetuating Indigenous cultures and reflecting artistic diversity. Artists may apply to the Artist Leadership Program in one of two areas:

1) Youth Public Art

2) Artist’s Community Workshop

Selected artists will participate in this two-part program, first, with a visit to Washington, D.C., to conduct research in the collections of the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) and other local museum institutions; participate in interviews with Collections and Education staff; conduct lunch-time presentations for NMAI staff and the museum public; and visit area galleries. Selected artists will receive assistance to make appointments for training and museum research visits. While in Washington, D.C., artists will also be provided professional training services that may include grant writing, web portfolio, marketing and career strategies, and business and leadership development. Artists selected for the Youth Public Art Project and Artist’s Community Workshop will be in Washington, D.C. in November, or December, for up to ten days.

NMAI program staff will provide a detailed itinerary prior to the artist's arrival, give an orientation, and offer administrative assistance for presentations to museum staff. Air travel and hotel lodging costs associated with the trip will be reimbursed to the artist.

The second part of the program follows the Washington D.C., visit. The artist will return home to facilitate one community project in order to share the knowledge learned from the experience and research visit to Washington, D.C.. The project should be completed before May of the year following the Washington, D.C. trip. The artist will choose one of the two following project options:

OPTION #1 - YOUTH PUBLIC ART
After the NMAI visit, the artist will return to their home community and identify a local youth group to design, develop, and complete a public art project that will result in a finished product such as a sculpture, mural, theatrical work, musical performance, or video. Suggested themes for this public art project: youth identity, suicide awareness, substance abuse, bullying, gangs, language, the “Inka Road/Camino Inka” exhibition, or the environment. The artist will provide ten art/production lessons to at least five community youth during the project schedule. The NMAI will support the artist to collaborate with a local video contractor who will document the finished project, conduct oral interviews of the artist and youth group, and post selected materials to the NMAI website.

Two participants will be selected for Youth Public Art Project and will receive a $7,000 contract award to cover project costs, supplies, and materials. The artist is also responsible for appropriate federal and state taxes on this award amount.

OPTION #2 - ARTIST’S COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
After the NMAI visit, artists will return to their community to plan and manage a free workshop for a community of artists. The purpose of the workshop is to share knowledge and demonstrate skills gained from the collections research visit to Washington, D.C. The artist will select the workshop location, create agenda and syllabus, obtain materials, and facilitate advertising and registration. The workshop should provide one to three days of instruction to at least ten community members interested in learning artistic skills. The NMAI will support the artist to collaborate with a local video contractor to document portions of the event by photography and video; conduct oral interviews of the artist and workshop attendees; and post selected materials to the NMAI website. Suggested themes for this workshop: Skills that the artist has mastered, new techniques learned as a result of the collections research visit, or new or revised cultural art techniques in support of the “Inka Road/Camino Inka” exhibition.

Two participants will be selected Community Artist’s Workshop Artist and will receive a $7,000 contract award to cover project costs, supplies, and materials. The artist is also responsible for appropriate federal and state taxes on this award amount.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

• Applicant must be an indigenous artist of the Western Hemisphere or Hawai‘i who is recognized by their community and can demonstrate significant artistic accomplishments.
• Artists may work in any media (visual, media, performance arts, literature, etc.)
• Artists who have participated in or served as panelist for the Artist Leadership and Emerging Art programs are not eligible to apply for two years.
• Artists who have participated in previous Youth Public Art, Visiting Artist, or Community Arts Symposium may apply, but they must select a different project option.
• Artists must be able to successfully pass a security background check with Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Protection Services (OPS).
• Artists must be in good standing with U.S. Government agencies, such as the IRS, and able to register in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR), which is a large database of individuals and companies that do contractual business with U.S. federal government agencies. Please visit the Central Contractor Registration website for more information.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply to the Artist Leadership Program, the following application material must be received by the first Monday in May:

1) Completed Application
2) Research Proposal (500 words, max.)
3) Project Proposal (500 words, max.)
4) Digital Portfolio (10 images)
5) Two letters of support
6) Resume of up to 5 pages
7) Artist Statement (75 words, max)

Please read the following guidelines on organizing and submitting this material:

Research Proposal:

• Describe the cultural area or community, type of objects, and time period of interest. Describe any culturally sensitive objects that you wish to research (ceremonial or medicinal items, masks, pipes, etc.) Please note that a letter of community permission may be necessary to examine these culturally sensitive items.
• Describe how you plan to document your research.
• Describe how the museum collection research activity will benefit your career, advance your artistic endeavors, and benefit the project you have selected.
• Place your name, date, and project title on each page.

Project Proposal:

• Youth Public Art Project: Describe the youth group with whom you plan to collaborate and the community in which the project will take place. Explain the need for the project and the purpose it will serve for the youth and community. Identify potential subject matter, size, scope, and location where project is to be housed and/or presented, and the targeted completion date. Suggested themes for this public art project: youth identity, suicide awareness, substance abuse, bullying, gangs, language, the “Inka Road/Camino Inka” exhibition, or the environment. Place your name, date and project title on each page.
• Artist’s Community Workshop: Describe the group with whom you plan to teach and the community in which the workshop will take place. Explain the need for the workshop and the purpose it will serve for the community and attendees. Identify potential subject matter, scope, and location, and the targeted completion date. Suggested themes for this workshop: Skills that the artist has mastered, new techniques learned as a result of the collections research visit, or new or revised cultural art techniques in support of the “Inka Road/Camino Inka” exhibition. Place your name, date, and project title on each page.

Digital Portfolios:

• Portfolios should be a PowerPoint presentation in CD or DVD format and fully representative of your previous experience and creative abilities.
• Should you require a different software application, please supply the application, or explain specifically how the files are to be opened.
• You may submit a maximum of ten (10) images or five (5) minutes of interactive or time-based work.
• Do not include original work. CDs and DVDs will not be returned.
• Choose your images wisely. The best work in a given medium or subject area is preferable to a whole range or sequence of works.
• Slides, videotapes, and computer disks are not acceptable.
• Label your CD or DVD with name, address, and phone number.
• Please indicate the title, size, date of completion, medium, and any other pertinent information about each piece. In the case of collaborative work, the contribution by the applicant must be described precisely.

Letters of support:

• Youth Public Art Project: one (1) letter from the indigenous community or youth organization that will host the project and one (1) letter of commitment from the owner of the property where the project will be created, presented, and/or housed.
• Artist’s Community Workshop: one (1) letter of support from indigenous community officials or members who are familiar with your experiences and accomplishments and can explain how the community regards you and the proposal. In addition, one (1) letter from the owner of the proposed workshop site.

Resume:

• Please provide up to 5 pages of your most current resume or vita.

Artist Statement::

• Please provide text of up to 75 words that clearly describe your purpose, goal, and intended results as an artist.

The application packet with all required supporting materials must be received by the first Monday in May. Only complete applications will be reviewed. All responses must be typed in a minimum 10-pt. font. Application materials will be not returned.

Please send completed applications to:

ARTIST LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of the American Indian
Cultural Resources Center
Museum Programs Department
4220 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, MD 20746-2863

Questions or for additional information, please contact:
Phone: 301-238-1544
Fax: 301-238-3200
Email: ALP@si.edu

SELECTION PROCESS

An independent review panel will review all complete applications, images, and supporting materials and make recommendations to NMAI program staff. The staff will then prepare letters of recommendation and determine the final awards.

You will receive a letter and/or email of acceptance and telephone communication from NMAI program staff.

All awardees will be announced and letters of non-acceptance will be sent out by August of each year. Participants must complete their museum research in November or December, and their community projects must be completed by June of the following calendar year.