Festival Opportunities

Native Performer Opportunities

Although the selection of performers for the festival is complete, the National Museum of the American Indian will continue to accept materials to be considered for future participation in the museum's diverse public programs, special events, and festivals. Please send your materials along with a completed Cultural Presenter Registry form to: NMAI Cultural Arts, 4th Street and Independence Avenue, SW, MRC 590, P.O. Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013-7012.

Materials should include: biography, photos, slides, video or DVD (performance/storytelling), CD or cassette audio samples, contact information, and performance history. For Express Mail and FedEx deliveries, please send to: NMAI Cultural Arts, 4th Street and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20024. 202-633-6995.

How the Festival Performers Were Selected

A committee selected from Native and non-Native staff of the museum was appointed to make recommendations to the Grand Opening Steering Committee and the museum's Director, W. Richard West. The committee evaluated materials from hundreds of Native musicians, dancers, and storytellers. The objective of the selection committee was to provide a fair and inclusive selection process for festival participants, so that the NMAI's opening festival would reflect the diversity of indigenous communities throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Volunteer Opportunities

Festival production will be managed by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. For more information, please contact Diana Grose, Volunteer Coordinator, Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage at 202-275-2003; email: dgrose@si.edu. You may also check this website for updated information or visit the Center for Folklife website, www.folklife.si.edu.

First Americans Festival Contact Information

You may contact the Smithsonian's Visitor Information Associates Reception Center (VIARC) at 202-633-1000. Email inquiries may be sent to NMAIFestival@si.edu. You may also send mail inquiries to: NMAI Opening Festival, 4th Street and Independence Avenue, SW, MRC 590, Washington, DC 20560.