Native Launchpad is the cornerstone program of Advancing Indigenous Performance (AIP), Western Arts Alliance’s national initiative to create new touring and presentation opportunities for US-based Indigenous performing artists.
Donor Name: Western Arts Alliance
State: All States
Counties: All Counties
U.S. Territories: American Samoa, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands
Type of Grant: Program
Deadline: 02/01/2023
Size of the Grant: $40,000
Grant Duration: 3 years
Details:
Native Launchpad provides Indigenous artists with tools and resources needed to further their careers and introduce them to the world of arts presenting and management.
The program helps create opportunity and sustainability for Indigenous artists through financial support, strategic promotion, networking, and career development.
Benefits
Each awardee receives direct financial and travel support, mentoring/coaching, career development, and promotional benefits, valued at $40,000, over three years:
- Financial support: $17,000 in direct support: $10K in year one, $5K in year two, and $2K in year three. Each year, 25% is unrestricted and 75% restricted to expenses directly related to career development.
- Travel support: Airfare, lodging, and per diem – as well as membership and registration fees to attend the WAA Annual Conference for three years and the APAP (Association of Performing Arts Professionals) conference in NYC for two years.
- Mentoring: Each year of the fellowship, each Native Launchpad artist is paired with a mentor, who is compensated for up to 10 hours of coaching time, to work with the artist on areas where they feel they could use support. Together, they create a work plan for the fellowship, to guide their work together and assess progress towards stated goals.
- Career development: AIP maintains a year-round career development program for Native Launchpad artists and Associate Artists, with special topic webinars and monthly check-in Zoom calls.
- Promotional benefits: Artist profiles on the WAA website, spotlight articles in the WAA newsletter, and an AIP booth at the WAA and APAP conferences – from which artists can network, distribute materials, and set meetings.
- Official Showcase: Native Launchpad artists each receive a spot in the WAA Annual Conference Official Showcase in the second year of their fellowships. The showcase is attended by presenters and agent/managers from across the US and abroad.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be US-based professional performing artists at any stage in their career.
- Be US citizens or have permanent resident status.
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Be planning to tour work within the coming three years.
- Self-identify as Indigenous.
- For AIP, the term Indigenous (or Native) refers to: Member or descendant of a Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian nation or community, including the U.S. Territories of Amelik Sāmoa (American Samoa), Guahan (Guam), Saipan, Tinian, Rota (Northern Mariana Islands), Borikén (Puerto Rico), and the US Virgin Islands.
The program is open to any performing arts discipline suitable for touring. Membership with Western Arts Alliance is not a requirement for applicants.
Required Application Materials
- At least one video work sample (preferably of live, staged work).
- Artist statement.
- A statement of Native identity.
- A statement of touring goals and objectives.
- A letter of recommendation from an individual or organization that has presented or produced your work in the last three years.
- A completed, standard application form.
For more information, visit Native Launchpad Grant.
