Creativity: We support creative Natives. In 2021, we launched our Dreamstarter Creative program to further support Native artists through small grants. Our Creatives have developed business infrastructure, purchased supplies, marketed themselves and their businesses, and furthered their educations and trainings.
Celebrate: We celebrate Native culture. Through celebration of identity, culture and accomplishments, we are helping to increase the visibility of Native people as artists and cultural bearers.
Connect: We connect Native people. We provide space for Natives to connect and network with each other, their communities, and their cultures. Additionally, online and in our brick-and-mortar store, we house, sell, and promote products and works of Native artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs, connecting their work to a larger audience and customer base.
In 2021 Running Strong launched Dreamstarter Creative to support Native Artists. Artists are cultural protectors, tradition keepers, and valuable contributors to the contemporary American art world as they connect Native traditions with an ever changing and challenging world. Running Strong is proud to support Native creators who describe and celebrate Indigenous cultures in their work, in whatever form that may be. Each year Running Strong awards $25,000 in grants to support Native artists’ dreams!
Our Creatives are diverse in their mediums; beadwork, painting, graphic design, sewing/quilting, pottery, basket weaving, drawing, jewelry, fashion, and metal work. We encourage any artists, from any medium to apply for a grant of up to $2,500 to help support and further their artistic endeavors.
Read more about the great things Native artists are doing!
