Education
Jun 23, 2026

American Indian College Fund renews Native Arts Program with $2.4 million grant

Funding will support tribal colleges as they expand Native arts curricula and community workshops rooted in traditional knowledge


June 23, 2026

The Native Arts Program of the American Indian College Fund received a $2.4 million grant from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies to continue supporting tribal colleges and universities in developing Native arts curricula and offering community-based workshops. The Choin Cha Ha Poo Chew Chew Wha Von Nom: Beading Cultural Knowledge Together grant marks the program's fifth cycle and will provide three-year awards to up to six tribal colleges for curriculum development and up to 12 colleges for community grants.

Previous projects included seven Native arts courses developed at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, North Dakota, and cultural preservation lessons at Iḷisaġvik College in Alaska. "Native arts programming, such as Beading Cultural Knowledge Together, is critical for uplifting the voices of our artists whose work combines wisdom and beauty as it helps to sustain our communities," American Indian College Fund President and CEO Cheryl Crazy Bull said.

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