16 Native Awardees of the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation for 2016

For the sixth year, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF) has awarded its National Artist Fellowship to 16 artists in five categories selected from a national open call of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian artist applicants who were reviewed by a panel of art peers and professionals.

The awardees reside in 14 states: Alaska; California; Connecticut; Georgia; Hawai’i; Maine; Massachusetts; Minnesota; New Mexico; New York; Oklahoma; Oregon; Virginia and Washington.

“NACF fosters and supports the vision, creativity and innovation of Native artists in a number of disciplines that feature the ongoing vibrancy and range of artistic careers and accomplishments across the U.S.,” said NACF Director of Programs Francene Blythe, Diné/Sisseton-Wahpeton/Eastern Band Cherokee. “We are honored to award this year’s National Fellows. They, too, continually raise the visibility of Native arts and cultures to higher levels of achievement, excellence and endeavor.”

The NACF National Artist Fellowship includes a monetary award that provides additional support for Native artists to explore, develop and experiment with original and existing projects. Fellows also work with their communities and share their culture in numerous ways. The National Artist Fellowships are made possible with support from the Ford Foundation, Second Sister Foundation and the generosity of arts patrons.

List of 2016 National Artist Fellows:

Artistic Innovation

Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu, Native Hawaiian

Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu, Native Hawaiian – Courtesy Image NACF

Erica Tremblay, Seneca-Cayuga Nation 

Erica Tremblay, Seneca-Cayuga Nation – Courtesy NACF

Literature

Kelli Jo Ford, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma

Kelli Jo Ford, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma – Courtesy NACF

Susan Power, Yanktonai Dakota

Susan Power, Yanktonai Dakota – Courtesy NACF

Music

Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Mnicoujou/Itazipco Lakota

Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Mnicoujou/Itazipco Lakota – Courtesy NACF

Thea Hopkins, Aquinnah Wampanoag

Thea Hopkins, Aquinnah Wampanoag – Courtesy NACF

Laura Ortman, White Mountain Apache

Laura Ortman, White Mountain Apache – Courtesy NACF

Aaron J. Sal?, Native Hawaiian

Aaron J. Sal?, Native Hawaiian – Courtesy NACF

Traditional Arts

Theresa Secord, Penobscot Nation

Theresa Secord, Penobscot Nation – Courtesy NACF

TJ Young, Sgwaayaans, Haida Nation

TJ Young, Sgwaayaans, Haida Nation – Courtesy NACF

Visual Arts

Luzene Hill, Eastern Band Cherokee 

Luzene Hill, Eastern Band Cherokee – Retracing The Trace – Courtesy NACF

Cannupa Hanska Luger, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, Lakota

Cannupa Hanska Luger, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, Lakota – Courtesy NACF

Brenda Mallory, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma

Brenda Mallory, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma – Courtesy NACF

Preston Singletary, Tlingit

Preston Singletary, Tlingit – Courtesy NACF

Visual Arts in Painting

Bunky Echo-Hawk, Pawnee, Yakama

Bunky Echo-Hawk, Pawnee, Yakama – Courtesy NACF

Mateo Romero, Cochiti Pueblo 

Mateo Romero, Cochiti Pueblo – Courtesy NACF

The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation’s mission is to promote the revitalization, appreciation and perpetuation of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian arts and cultures through grant making, convening and advocacy. To date, NACF has supported 180 artists and organizations in more than 26 states and Native communities. To learn more about the National Artist Fellows and NACF’s work—nurturing the passion and power of creative expression, visit: www.nativeartsandcultures.org.