First Peoples Fund

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About First Peoples Fund

First Peoples Fund, based in Rapid City, SD, is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Native artists and culture bearers through comprehensive grant programs, fellowships, and artistic development opportunities. Since 1995, the organization has recognized the transformative power of art and culture to create positive change within Indigenous communities across the United States. First Peoples Fund administers multiple programs designed to meet artists at different career stages, including the Native Performing Arts Program for emerging and established performers seeking to develop and enhance their artistic skills and knowledge. The organization also offers the Yéigo Action Grant, providing quick financial assistance to individual Native artists and culture bearers facing unexpected expenses or time-sensitive artistic opportunities. Additionally, First Peoples Fund operates the Native Performing Arts Fellows and Grantees program, the Artist in Business Leadership and Cultural Capital Fellows initiative, and maintains an extensive directory connecting thousands of Native artists and culture bearers practicing in diverse creative mediums. Through partnerships and community initiatives like the Oglala Lakota Artspace on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and the Wicahpi Olowan Music Program, First Peoples Fund creates accessible pathways for Indigenous artists to thrive. The organization also conducts rigorous research on Native creative practices, publishing influential reports that document the scope and impact of Indigenous artistic expression. By combining direct financial support, professional development, research, and community infrastructure, First Peoples Fund serves as a vital resource for sustaining and elevating Indigenous artistic traditions and cultural knowledge across North America.