Woodland Indian Arts Program

The Woodland Indian Arts Program (WIA), administered by the Wisconsin Arts Board (WAB), is a state-level grant initiative dedicated to supporting and advancing traditional and contemporary Native American arts within Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Arts Board, a division of the State of Wisconsin, leverages funding from Gaming Compact revenues to provide annual support to tribal, band, and urban Indian communities across the state. The WIA program reflects the Board’s mission to encourage the cultural, social, and economic vitality of Native communities through the arts. The primary purpose of the Woodland Indian Arts Program is to foster a long-term infrastructure of support for Native arts in Wisconsin. Eligible activities range from professional arts administration to documentation, preservation, and revitalization of cultural practices such as art, language, and foodways. The program also supports technical assistance and professional development opportunities for Native artists and organizations, as well as projects that promote and present Native art through exhibitions, festivals, and media. Planning grants are available for organizations preparing to undertake such initiatives, especially where adaptation, training, or community engagement strategies are needed. Funding awards range from $1,500 to $6,000 and can support new, ongoing, or expanded projects in both traditional and contemporary art forms. Each grant must be matched dollar-for-dollar through cash, in-kind contributions, or a combination of both. This matching requirement is a critical component of the grant and aims to ensure sustainability and shared investment in the proposed projects. The program places strong emphasis on Native leadership and direct community benefit, requiring that applicants be Native-led or provide direct services to Wisconsin Native American communities. Eligibility criteria are specific and inclusive. Applicants must be Native-led organizations or those serving Wisconsin Native American communities. They must either be units of tribal government or hold 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status, have been operating in Wisconsin for at least three years, and demonstrate relevance and capacity for carrying out arts-based work in Native communities. Fiscal receivership is allowed for groups that lack 501(c)(3) status but have at least three years of mission-related work, provided a formal relationship is established with a sponsoring nonprofit. The application process is conducted electronically via the WAB’s SmartSimple platform. Applicants must submit a completed application, budget, and work samples by the specified deadline. For FY26, the deadline is February 12, 2026, at 3:00 PM. Only one application per institution is permitted. Following submission, a panel will review applications in early March 2026, with final funding decisions made by the WAB on March 17, 2026. Contracts are issued shortly after, with awardees allowed to begin projects on March 18, 2026. All funded activities must be completed by December 31, 2026, and final reports are due January 31, 2027. The program is annual in nature, with recurring deadlines and cycles anticipated in future years. Applicants are encouraged to observe the peer review process, which is conducted publicly via livestream to promote transparency. Contact for the program is facilitated through the Wisconsin Arts Board’s primary office, and inquiries can be directed to their general inbox at [email protected] or via telephone at 608-266-0190.