We are pleased to announce the Strengthening Institutional Support for Native Artists and Culture Bearers Summit taking place October 7-9, 2025, in Cherokee, North Carolina. Held concurrently with ATALM2025, this transformative three-day gathering is dedicated to strengthening institutional support for Native artists, expanding funding opportunities, showcasing model programs, and amplifying artists' voices.

With support from the Ford Foundation, ATALM, is partnering with the Native Arts & Cultures Foundation and other partners to bring together Native artists, cultural leaders, funders, policymakers, and cultural institutions to develop actionable strategies that enhance sustainability, representation, and economic opportunities for Indigenous artists and culture bearers.

We invite your involvement in one or more of these areas:

• Request an invitation to attend. Space is limited, and participation is by invitation to ensure a diverse and engaged community of artists, funders, and institutions. Request an invitation here.
• Request financial support.  After you receive an invitation to attend, you may request financial assistance to cover registration, lodging, or travel. Submit an application here.
• Propose a Session.  ATALM is seeking presentations that amplify artists' voices and their needs, showcase model programs and best practices, cover funding and institutional support for Native artists, promote economic empowerment, cultural equity, and policy advocacy, and other topics that will help develop an action plan. Submit a session proposal here.
• Join as a Summit Partner. Funders, arts agencies, tribes, and cultural institutions are invited to support the summit through funding, programmatic collaboration, and/or resource sharing. Apply to be a Summit Partner here.

All applications are due by April 1, 2025, although we will continue to accept applications until we reach capacity.

This is a critical moment to advance sustainable support for Native artists and cultural practitioners through increased institutional support. We encourage you to apply, participate, and help shape a stronger future for Indigenous arts.