NDN Collective accepting grant applications from the territories for Radical Imagination Grant

NDN Collective, an Indigenous-led organization dedicated to building Indigenous power, announced its fourth open application period for the Radical Imagination grant offered to artists, culture bearers, and storytellers who are Indigenous to the United States, Canada, Mexico, Islands of Hawai’i, Boriken/Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the US Virgin Islands.

Radical Imagination Grants are intended to support Indigenous artists, artist partnerships/cooperatives, and small nonprofits to imagine, design, and create projects that propose solutions to our most intractable societal problems. Artists that have and can radically imagine a new future, a  better normal, and a just world for all people and Mother Earth are called upon to bring their words, their stories, their art, their dance, their songs, and action to NDN Collective’s Radical Imagination. Letters of interest for the application are due March 21, 2023.

“We are excited to announce important changes to the program this year. For the first time, individual artists, artist collectives, artist businesses, and small Indigenous arts nonprofits may apply. Grant support in the amount of $100,000 over two years will provide a longer-term investment into the creative initiatives that artists propose,” said NDN Collective Associate Director Tina Kuckkahn (Ojibwe).

As part of NDN Collective’s mission to Defend, Develop, and Decolonize, Radical Imagination Artists, Creatives, and Culture Bearers will:

1. Propose solutions to dismantle structural racism through their art & creativity
2. Imagine and practice justice within their communities while working to rebuild and assemble a better world
3. Amplify community voices to counter inequitable systems, policies, and practices

Grants of up to two years at $50,000 per year are available to Indigenous artists and culture-bearers working in all traditions, mediums, and genres working in the defense, development, or decolonization of Indigenous Peoples and the planet.  NDN Collective supports Indigenous artists, culture bearers, and storytellers to amplify their work to reimagine a new normal for all people and the planet.

“Providing flexible funding provides much-needed support for our Indigenous artists to amplify their phenomenal work while also supporting self-care, health, and well-being,”  said NDN Collective Program Officer Janet Maylen (Mvskoke).

Grant details

Ten Indigenous artists, artist collectives, or small nonprofits of all artistic traditions, mediums, and genres will be awarded two-year grants of $50,000 for a total of $100,000 over two years. Artists may propose a two-year budget that includes a living stipend, as well as support for the supplies and equipment necessary to publicly amplify the work and develop a community messaging platform. 12% of funds must also support artists’ self-care, health, and well-being. Grant funds are considered taxable income, and artists/organizations will be responsible for managing related income tax implications. Artists must report and share their creative progress on an annual basis. Funds will be distributed in accordance with a 24-month work plan and projected budget.

Grant selection information

Full grant applications will be invited in late Spring 2023 based on a review of Letters of Interest (LOI). Radical Imagination Artists will be selected in August 2023, with the new cohort beginning September 1, 2023.