Celebrating Indigenous Artists: The Launch of the Pacific Jurisdictions Artist Fund
In a groundbreaking initiative, the Pacific Jurisdictions Artist Fund has made a significant impact by supporting 45 artists and cultural practitioners from American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) through direct funding. This fund, launched in the spring of 2025 by the nonprofit organization Creative West, marks the first of its kind to exclusively serve these Pacific communities, where artists have historically faced barriers to financial support.
The Fund represents a shift in how funding is approached in the cultural landscape. It breaks away from traditional funding models, which often overlook the unique needs and contributions of artists from these islands. Instead, the Fund was developed collaboratively with local cultural leaders and artists, focusing on relationship-building, equity, and respect for Indigenous knowledge systems.
Each of the recipients has been awarded up to $6,000 with no strings attached, allowing them to allocate the funds in ways that best support their artistic and cultural practices—whether that be for ongoing creative endeavors, cultural preservation, or even personal necessities. The decision to implement unrestricted grants emphasizes trust in the artists to define their needs.
Throughout its inaugural cycle, the program successfully disbursed approximately $26,000 across the jurisdictions, with awards ranging from $700 to $3,000. Although funding availability may fluctuate moving forward, Creative West expresses hope of securing additional resources to expand the initiative.
"It’s a tremendous opportunity to witness art that emanates from love for culture and values," remarked one grant application reviewer from the islands. The statement reflects the empowerment felt by both applicants and reviewers alike, emphasizing the positive impact this fund can offer.
The diversity of artistic expression among the awardees is noteworthy; recipients include traditional tattooists, weavers, carvers, poets, musicians, language keepers, and digital storytellers. Such variety highlights the rich cultural tapestry woven within these communities. Award selections were made through a community-driven panel review process, led by reviewers from across the Pacific, ensuring that decisions were guided by local insight.
Anika Tené, the Director of Grants, Awards, and Programs at Creative West, acknowledged the inconsistency of arts funding available to U.S. Pacific Island communities. She noted that this Fund aims to remedy that issue, putting Indigenous leadership at the forefront and honoring the lived experiences of community members.
To celebrate the achievements of the inaugural awardees, Creative West will host community events across each of the islands in September 2025. These gatherings include cultural sharing, community meals, and formal recognition of each artist’s contribution to their culture and community.
These festivities will not only serve as a platform for honor but also as an opportunity for Creative West to conduct outreach workshops in American Samoa, Guam, and Saipan aimed at empowering local artists with guidance and resources for future applications.
For further details about the Pacific Jurisdictions Artist Fund and information about the awarded artists, please visit Creative West’s website. This initiative sets a precedent in regional arts funding, ensuring that the rich cultural narratives of the Pacific Islands are celebrated and supported going forward.
Founded in 1974, Creative West operates as a nonprofit U.S. Regional Arts Organization (USRAO), dedicated to extending its support to a geographically diverse region ranging from the Arctic Coast to the Desert Southwest, encompassing the Great Plains and the Pacific Islands. It aims to provide direct and practical assistance to artists, culture bearers, as well as creative organizations, promoting community-defined goals through various initiatives including funding, programming, leadership development, and advocacy while ensuring a partnership approach that respects local communities.
The Fund represents a shift in how funding is approached in the cultural landscape. It breaks away from traditional funding models, which often overlook the unique needs and contributions of artists from these islands. Instead, the Fund was developed collaboratively with local cultural leaders and artists, focusing on relationship-building, equity, and respect for Indigenous knowledge systems.
Each of the recipients has been awarded up to $6,000 with no strings attached, allowing them to allocate the funds in ways that best support their artistic and cultural practices—whether that be for ongoing creative endeavors, cultural preservation, or even personal necessities. The decision to implement unrestricted grants emphasizes trust in the artists to define their needs.
Throughout its inaugural cycle, the program successfully disbursed approximately $26,000 across the jurisdictions, with awards ranging from $700 to $3,000. Although funding availability may fluctuate moving forward, Creative West expresses hope of securing additional resources to expand the initiative.
"It’s a tremendous opportunity to witness art that emanates from love for culture and values," remarked one grant application reviewer from the islands. The statement reflects the empowerment felt by both applicants and reviewers alike, emphasizing the positive impact this fund can offer.
The diversity of artistic expression among the awardees is noteworthy; recipients include traditional tattooists, weavers, carvers, poets, musicians, language keepers, and digital storytellers. Such variety highlights the rich cultural tapestry woven within these communities. Award selections were made through a community-driven panel review process, led by reviewers from across the Pacific, ensuring that decisions were guided by local insight.
Anika Tené, the Director of Grants, Awards, and Programs at Creative West, acknowledged the inconsistency of arts funding available to U.S. Pacific Island communities. She noted that this Fund aims to remedy that issue, putting Indigenous leadership at the forefront and honoring the lived experiences of community members.
To celebrate the achievements of the inaugural awardees, Creative West will host community events across each of the islands in September 2025. These gatherings include cultural sharing, community meals, and formal recognition of each artist’s contribution to their culture and community.
- - American Samoa will celebrate on September 10, 2025, at DDW Beach Café and Restaurant.
- - Guam's event is scheduled for September 15, 2025, at Caffe Cino in the Hilton Hotel.
- - In CNMI (Saipan), celebrations will take place on September 18, 2025, at the NMI Museum of History and Culture.
These festivities will not only serve as a platform for honor but also as an opportunity for Creative West to conduct outreach workshops in American Samoa, Guam, and Saipan aimed at empowering local artists with guidance and resources for future applications.
For further details about the Pacific Jurisdictions Artist Fund and information about the awarded artists, please visit Creative West’s website. This initiative sets a precedent in regional arts funding, ensuring that the rich cultural narratives of the Pacific Islands are celebrated and supported going forward.
About Creative West
Founded in 1974, Creative West operates as a nonprofit U.S. Regional Arts Organization (USRAO), dedicated to extending its support to a geographically diverse region ranging from the Arctic Coast to the Desert Southwest, encompassing the Great Plains and the Pacific Islands. It aims to provide direct and practical assistance to artists, culture bearers, as well as creative organizations, promoting community-defined goals through various initiatives including funding, programming, leadership development, and advocacy while ensuring a partnership approach that respects local communities.
Topics Entertainment & Media）
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