Woodland Indian Art, Inc.

Woodland Indian Art, Inc.

Green Bay, Wisconsin

First Nations established the Native Arts Initiative (NAI) in 2014 to provide direct grantmaking, networking opportunities, and training and technical assistance (TTA) to Native-led arts and cultural hubs who are working to preserve and advance traditional Native arts through programming focused on supporting artists and intergenerational sharing of artistic skills and knowledge.

Under the NAI, First Nations provides awarded grantees with organizational and programmatic resources, including direct grants and technical assistance and training. Since 2014, First Nations has awarded more than $3.5 million in grant funds to a variety of eligible, Native-controlled nonprofit organizations and tribal government programs under the NAI.

 

2023-2025 Native Arts Initiative

About Woodland Indian Art, Inc.

Woodland Indian Art, Inc. is a nonprofit organization in Oneida, Wisconsin, that seeks to expand the awareness and appreciation of Woodland Indian arts and culture through education, events, and markets. The organization brings together Woodland Indian artists to showcase the distinct artistic styles and cultures of tribes from the Eastern United States and southern parts of Canada. As a result, it creates economic growth opportunity for artists through networking and sales of their art to buyers and collectors of Native American art.

How First Nations Will Help

Funding will enable Woodland Indian Art, Inc. to continue preserving and advancing traditional Native arts through programming that supports artists and intergenerational sharing of artistic skills and knowledge. This grant will also help continue relationship-building with artists, tribes, and other organizations; increase organizational sustainability; and enhance marketing and communications.

COMMUNITY PARTNER Q&A

What we are most proud of is the success of our annual three-day Woodland Art Show and Market, our annual signature event that showcases Native American artists. They run their own booths, teach classes, sell their artwork to the public, and are recognized at an awards ceremony.

We are also proud of our ability to fundraise to continue our work and expand our programming. One extension of our programming that was very successful for two years was “Friendraisers,” where we helped create a Northern Woodland Indian Art Show up in the north woods of Wisconsin. This show raised more money than our own Woodland Indian Art Show!

Recently, we were one of 50 nonprofits that benefited from the Give Green Bay fundraiser. About $5,000 was raised for our organization, and we are grateful for that boost in funding.

In addition to our annual Woodland Indian Art Show and Market, we teach digital art, pottery, beadwork, and basketry to the community. We also partner with local artists to teach their craft to classes of up to 20 students. We encourage artists to express themselves with their individual identity and culture to help teach and educate the community that Native American art does not always look like Southwest art. 

What’s more, we have worked hard to establish partnerships with several Oneida organizations and groups aligned with our mission. We have relationships with the Oneida Museum, the Oneida Nation Arts Program, and Native American Tourism of Wisconsin (NATOW). We also have an unofficial working relationship with the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Commission due to our use of environmental resources, such as birch bark wood and black ash wood.

Learn more about Woodland Indian Art, Inc.