Native Performing Arts Production Grants

The Native Performing Arts Live Production Grant (LPG), administered by First Peoples Fund, is a funding initiative aimed at supporting Native-led live performances. First Peoples Fund (FPF), headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota, is a nonprofit dedicated to honoring and supporting Indigenous artists and culture bearers. The LPG program is part of FPF's Native Performing Arts Program, which was developed based on insights from the 2022 Brightening the Spotlight report. That report emphasized the systemic gaps Native creators face in funding access and recommended more culturally informed involvement in funding decisions. Through the LPG, FPF seeks to empower Native performing artists—both individuals and collectives—to realize live productions that express Indigenous stories, traditions, and creativity. The LPG grant offers $30,000 to individual Native performing artists or Native-led performing arts organizations, businesses, or collectives. Applicants must demonstrate a mid-career level of experience in producing live performances, such as theater, dance, spoken word, or music. The proposed work must be in the active stage of production, ready for presentation between February and November 2026. Activities still in development, such as workshops or writing retreats, are not eligible. The LPG supports a wide range of live performance types including theatrical plays, music festivals, community-based performances, and touring acts. While fashion shows are eligible, they must include performative elements like dance, music, lighting, or set design. Film productions are explicitly excluded from eligibility. To apply, applicants must be Native individuals or Native-led organizations based in the United States. They must be at least 18 years old and provide proof of enrollment, descent, or ancestry from a U.S. federally or state-recognized tribe, or be Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian. Current students and those engaged in coursework-related activities are not eligible. Additionally, recipients of the 2025 LPG award may not reapply for the 2026 cycle, and prior FPF grantees must have completed and submitted final reports to be considered. The application period opens on May 19, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. MST and closes on June 18, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. MST. All submissions must be completed through the Submittable platform; email submissions will not be accepted. After the initial application phase, selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals in July 2025. Only one application per applicant is allowed across the Native Performing Arts Program for 2026; applicants must choose between the Live Production Grant and the Native Performing Arts Fellowship. The LPG program is part of a broader effort by FPF to foster artistic and economic resilience within Native communities. In addition to funding, FPF offers mentoring, business development training, and financial capability resources designed to align with Indigenous values. Live productions funded by this grant are expected not only to entertain but also to educate, preserve traditions, and strengthen community ties. The initiative is an example of performance as both art and cultural resistance, elevating the visibility and impact of Native performing artists on a national and global stage. Applicants with questions about the grant may contact Natalie at natalie@firstpeoplesfund.org or call the organization at (605) 348-0324. Additional information and resources, including guidelines and letter of interest overviews for both individuals and organizations, are available on the First Peoples Fund website.