The Walker Youngbird Foundation’s Emerging Native Arts Grant supports early-career Native and Indigenous artists who are working to complete a creative project that can be shared publicly.
Recipients receive $15,000 in funding, mentorship from the foundation’s team and Advisory Council, and the opportunity to present their work through a curated showcase. This support helps artists build visibility and connect with curators, collectors, and arts leaders.
The grant is designed for artists whose work bridges tradition and innovation while honoring cultural integrity, creative experimentation, and contemporary relevance. Eligible art forms include painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, installation, digital works, beadwork, quillwork, textiles, carving, and other culturally rooted practices with an innovative approach.
This grant does not support performing arts, musical performance, screenplays, or full-length film and video projects.
Eligible applicants include artists who are enrolled members of a U.S. federally or state-recognized American Indian tribe, Alaska Native corporation, Native Hawaiian artists, or members of a recognized First Nation in Canada. Applicants must provide documentation of eligibility.
The deadline for this opportunity was June 18, 2026, and applications are currently closed. Native artists are encouraged to watch for future grant cycles and prepare project ideas in advance.
Deadline: June 18, 2026
Location: Nationwide
Grant Amount: $15,000
