Native Artist Teacher Cohort
Building Community. Growing Careers.
Program Overview
NATIVE, Inc. launches the Native Artist Teacher Cohort, a program designed to equip 12 Fargo & Grand Forks Native artists with the tools to teach, mentor, and inspire future generations. Selected cohort members will receive professional development trainings and convenings that facilitate community engagement and peer learning, statewide exposure and all travel expenses paid. No prior teaching experience required, but experienced teaching artists are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility & Requirements
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Ability to demonstrate tribal enrolment
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At least 21 years old
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Must live either in Fargo or Grand Forks and surrounding areas
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Participate in the 6-month cohort experience by attending the virtual and in-person workshops and convenings, including pre- and post- program surveys.
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Participants are required to develop and share mini lessons that apply what they learned
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Full participation is required to receive Certificate of Completion
Program Timeline
COHORT #1 – April 26, 2025 – October 31, 2025
COHORT #2 – January 2026 – June 2026
How To Apply
Applicants must fill out online form and submit work samples no later than April 18, 2025 11:59 CT. There is no application fee. Unfinished application will not be saved so be sure to prepare all your responses and materials when starting your application. All work samples must be sent through email to FargoEvents@ndnadc.org with subject line [Work Sample – Name of Applicant]. Failure to submit work samples will result in disqualification. Applicants will receive a confirmation email and a copy of their responses once the application form has been successfully submitted.
Allowable Media Types
Images (up to 5MB each)
Video (up to 250MB each)
Audio (up to 30MB each)
PDFs (up to 10MB each)
Please include title, date, medium, size, and a short description of each uploaded image or media file.
Selection Process
Staff from NATIVE, Inc. will review the application and materials submitted. 12 Native artists will be selected from Fargo and Grand Forks.
Applications will be reviewed through the following criteria:
Artistic merit and/or quality of work samples
Timeliness within the artist’s career trajectory and demonstrated financial need or other not specified
Evidence of continued cultural practice as an artist and educator
The Native Artist Teacher (NAT) Cohort respects, values, and celebrates the unique attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that make each person who they are. We foster open communication of Tribal diverse perspectives and bring a broad range of individuals together to enrich and support programming. Ultimately, we will ask the Selection Panel to compose a set of recipients prioritizing diversity, representing a range of the two geographies, materials, practices, and types of artist-educators.
Notification
Notification of application status will be sent via email by April 22, 2025. The email address listed on the application form will be used to send out notifications. Please be sure it is a valid email address that you check regularly.
Questions
Please reach out to Teagan DeCoteau at FargoEvents@ndnadc.org with any questions about the application process.
In-Person Training
In partnership with First Peoples Fund, NATIVE, Inc is hosting an in-person free 2-day Native Artist Professional Development Training to help Native artists grow their careers, strengthen their business skills, and sustain their creative work. This training can accommodate up to 20 Native artists.
Event Details
📅 Date: April 26-27, 2025 9:00am-4:30pm (CT)
📍 Location: NDSU Memorial Union - Sahnish Room (Fargo, ND)
This hands-on training provides tools in financial management, marketing, and business planning tailored specifically for Indigenous artists.
Instructors:
Roxanne Best (Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation) is a portrait and branding photographer, business consultant, and First Peoples Fund 2021 Cultural Capital Fellow.
Valerie Janis (Bay Mills Ojibwe) is a writer, illustrator, and storyteller whose Hidden Magic Trilogy blends fantasy with Native culture. She leads workshops in writing, poetry, and cradleboard-making to educate and give back to her community.
Hotel & Travel Info
Candlewood Suites Fargo-N. Dakota State University
1831 NDSU Research Park Dr N
Fargo, ND 58102
Candlewood Suites has free parking and free Wi-Fi. Hotel is only a five-minute drive or 20-minute walk from the NDSU Memorial Union, where the training is held. NATIVE, Inc. has reserved a block of 15 rooms and will cover hotel rooms for the 12 Native Artist Teacher Cohort. Non-cohort members will pay for their own room and lodging. All NAPD attendees are eligible for travel reimbursements.
Contact Teagan DeCoteau at FargoEvents@ndnadc.org with questions about travel and hotel accommodations.