Each year, First Peoples Fund honors and celebrates exceptional Native artists and culture bearers across the country through the Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Awards. These artists embody their People’s cultural assets in their creations and their way of life. The Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Award recognizes artists who:
- Demonstrate an artistic practice that passes on the traditions and the lifeways of the people.
- Show a commitment to building the strength of Native communities by sharing their skills and talents with others in their respective communities;
- Are deeply rooted and maintain direct ties to their tribal community.
Bringing spirit to the community is an important responsibility for artists — it is part of a sacred honor system. Through this award, First Peoples Fund strengthens that honor system by recognizing exceptional artists who have worked selflessly throughout their lives to weave their cultural knowledge and ancestral gifts into their communities.
Since 2000 we have recognized over 100 culture bearers across Indian Country through the Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Awards. Honorees are selected for sustaining and growing to understand the creative practices and cultural values of their People.
Each honoree will receive a grant of $25,000 to continue carrying on their work.
APPLICATION DATES
- Part I – Nominator Application Deadline: July 22nd by 11:59 pm MDT
- Part II – Nominee Application Deadline: August 31st by 11:59 pm MDT
2023 FELLOWSHIP AWARDS
- Grant Amount: $25,000
- Selection Announcement: December 2022
SELECTION PROCESS
A national selection committee will review nominees and select honorees from those that meet the outlined qualifications and eligibility. The award is highly competitive. First Peoples Fund receives close to one hundred nominations each year and selects 4 artists each year
JENNIFER EASTON
Jennifer Easton (1947-2017) founded First Peoples Fund in 1995 as a donor-advised fund of the Tides Foundation to support Native artist-entrepreneurs and culture bearers. In 2003, the organization was established as a separate nonprofit headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota. First Peoples Fund started the Community Spirit Awards in 2000 and named them after Jennifer to honor her vision and generous spirit. Since then, First Peoples Fund has leveraged Jennifer’s initial investment to grow and thrive. We continue to build from her vision.
HOW TO NOMINATE AN ARTIST
1. IDENTIFY
Identify an artist who you feel exemplifies the spirit of this award — and contact the artist to confirm their interest in the award.
2. NOMINATE
Briefly write the contributions the artist has made to his or her community.
3. APPLY
Application forms are sent to the artist/nominee and nominator after nominations close.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD ELIGIBILITY
Nominees must be practicing Native artists who have demonstrated a lifetime of commitment to their art, engaging in their work for at least 10 years.
- Nominees must be an enrolled member, or provide proof of lineal descendancy of, a U.S. federally recognized tribe, a state-recognized tribe, or be an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian.
- The award is open to artists of any medium, from visual to performing to literary, in both traditional and contemporary forms.
FAQ
- Who can submit a nomination? Anyone can nominate a Native artist for the Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Awards. Nominators tend to be students, mentees, colleagues, and tribal elders who have recognized these exceptional artists for knowing themselves, honoring others, and sustaining spirit in their own communities.
- Can a nominator help the CSA Applicant? The nominator is encouraged to work collaboratively with their nominee to complete all application materials. Before applying on behalf of another individual, you must contact the nominee in advance to fully discuss the guidelines of the Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Awardee.
