Day 2: 1st People's Fund Business Seminar

In my previous recent blog entries regarding the First People’s Fund Business Seminar for their Artists in Business Leadership grant program, I forgot to tell you about who the heck FPF is anyway!  Here’s some info on the folks at First People’s Fund out of Rapid City, South Dakota:

(Unidentified), Carol , Alaina Buffalo Spirit, , Alfred "Twilly" Gosuk,

Founded in 1995, First Peoples Fund’s mission is to honor and support the creative community-centered First Peoples artists; and nurture the collective spirit® that allows them to sustain their peoples.

“Our vision is to communicate to the world the roots and philosophy of Indigenous artistic expression and its relationship to the collective spirit of First Peoples. We will strive to provide support and voice to the creative Indigenous artists who share their inspiration, wisdom, knowledge and gifts with their communities.”

Local Minneapolis photographer, Joseph Allen from Ogema, Minnesota was an invited artist sharing a recent triptych

The main drive behind First People’s Fund is the their hard-working, compassionate, visionary President, Lori Pourier.  “Her philanthropy work began at First Nations Development Institute based in Virginia where she served as the Associate Marketing Director. Following her tenure at First Nations, she operated her own marketing consultant business specializing in developing marketing strategies for nonprofit American Indian organizations, multicultural arts organizations and tribal communities. Ms. Pourier served on the Board of Directors of the Western States Arts Federation, the Honor the Earth Fund, the Chinook Fund and the National Indian Business Association. She currently serves on the board of directors for Grantmakers in the Arts and is the co-chair of the Indigenous Resource Network.  She also is a board member of the Native Americans in Philanthropy and Red Cloud Indian School. In 1993, she participated in AIO’s American Indian Ambassadors Leadership Program funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. She holds a Masters of Science from Southern New Hampshire University, Graduate School of Business. Nominated by the Ford Foundation, Ms. Pourier was selected for the Center for Social Innovation fellowship at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, a partnership between Stanford University and National Arts Strategies. The Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders-Arts (EPNL-Arts) honors fifty outstanding arts and culture leaders by selecting them to receive a CSI fellowship for the program.”

Lillian Pitt presents her marketing materials including her portfolio, brochures and resume's

I received one of the Artist in Business Leadership grants from FPF.  The purpose of this grant is “to cultivate entrepreneurial artists to a small business level (consistent and reliable income) where business concepts are understood and applied.”

It’s Strategy:  “First Peoples Fund selects artists based on demonstrated artistic talent, evidence of possessing the qualities of an entrepreneur, and indication of embodying the values of First Peoples Fund.

This self-directed, independent business arts fellowship is a one-year self-directed program is supported by individualized professional development training, and working capital funds to strengthen their marketing strategies. The fellowship also provides a focus on new work to stimulate creativity and a renewal of energy in Native art expression.”

For more information and eligibility for this grant or the other two they have to offer to Native American artists, visit First Peoples Fund’s website.

Ceramist Shirley Brauker from Coldwater, Michigan demonstrates the using her new iPad which displays her gallery housing all 4000+ images of her life's work

Once you have obtained a First People’s Fund grant, you are automatically eligible to apply for the other two grants they have to offer.  I encourage any and all Native American artists to apply for their grants.  Once you receive a grant from FPF, you become one of their “family members.”  This grant organization is like none other.

Beadwork artist Douglas Limon from White Bear Lake, Minneapolis was another invited, local artist sharing his most recent work

Break out session - notice FPF new publication in the foreground

Theresa, Lillian, Ben and Wade share good laughs with the group

Lunch is served!

Between all three grant categories, there were a total of 13 FPF grant awardees and invited local artists in attendance for this business seminar