The NMAI's Indigenous Contemporary Arts Program promotes the creation and presentation of new works through the collaboration of two or more Native artists. The primary focus should be on the creativity of Native artists, but that does not exclude non-Natives as collaborators where appropriate. Awards will specifically support the creation of new works for public performance that may include, but is not limited to, music, dance, spoken word (new scripts, written texts, traditional stories, etc.), electronic media, costume design, mask making, set design, performance art, photography, painting, and other forms of expressive culture. Applicants will be encouraged to use the resources of the NMAI for inspiration, including its collections and exhibitions.

The awards are meant to support Native artists who wish to work together in order to realize more fully their artistic visions for performance. Examples include:

• A playwright enlisting the services of a composer to write a musical score for his or her play, or to create a song cycle, oratorio, opera, or musical theater work;
• A choreographer enlisting the services of a costume designer, set designer, and a composer to create a fully realized Native dance piece; and
• A writer/storyteller and a visual artist collaborating to create a performance piece that mutually enhances their ability to convey their artistic ideas.

Successful applicants will be encouraged to present their works as widely as possible. The awards are competitive, selected by application only. The selection panel includes NMAI staff and outside experts.

The Program awards up to $10,000 to selected applicants.

The credit line "Support provided by the Indigenous Contemporary Arts Program, National Museum of the American Indian" must be included in all publicity and written material. The NMAI is able to present this opportunity for creative artists thanks to generous support from the Ford Foundation's IllumiNation program. A mid-term and final report will be required.

The Artist Leadership Program enables indigenous artists to research, document, network, and develop life skills to enhance artistic growth and strengthen career development. This program also provides a positive mentorship opportunity for artists and communities through art and cultural learning activities. Artists may apply to the Artist Leadership Program in one of three areas:

1) Youth Public Art

2) Community Arts Symposium

3) 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, Community Arts Symposium and Artist's Community Workshop will be in Washington, D.C., for 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 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 June of the year following the trip.