LIFT – Early Career Support for Native Artists

The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF), a leading private organization dedicated to the advancement of Native arts and cultures in the United States, has announced the upcoming 2026 cycle of its LIFT – Early Career Support for Native Artists program. Now entering its fifth iteration, this initiative is a key part of NACF’s mission to uplift Indigenous voices and invest in emerging Native artists. The LIFT program provides crucial support and visibility to early-career artists through direct funding, mentorship, and professional development resources aimed at strengthening both creative expression and community impact. LIFT is designed specifically for individual Native artists who are in the early stages of their careers and who are committed to creating new, original work that has a public presentation component. The one-year award provides $15,000 in funding, with a minimum of $5,000 dedicated directly to the artist's compensation and well-being. The remainder supports the execution of the proposed project. Alongside the monetary award, recipients also gain access to mentorship opportunities, artist-centered workshops, project evaluation assistance, and marketing and communications support—all elements aimed at fostering long-term sustainability in artistic practice. The program seeks artists working in a wide array of disciplines, including but not limited to traditional arts, visual arts, music, literature, performance, film, and interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary arts. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old, reside in the U.S., and be enrolled members or citizens of a federally- or state-recognized American Indian tribe, Alaska Native corporation, or of Native Hawaiian ancestry. Importantly, applicants cannot be enrolled in an academic institution during the award period, and they must not have previously received a singular award of $15,000 or more in their artistic careers. Applicants are required to submit their applications via the Submittable platform between January 22, 2026 and March 19, 2026, by 8:00 PM Pacific Time. The application consists of six key sections: eligibility screening, contact information, demographic questions (optional), a detailed project narrative, a budget breakdown, and supporting materials such as work samples, artist resume, letter of recommendation, and proof of Native citizenship or ancestry. The project narrative should clearly outline the nature of the new work, its intended impact, the artist’s role, any planned mentorship involvement, and a twelve-month timeline for completion. The review process involves an initial eligibility screening by NACF staff, followed by a panel evaluation conducted by Native arts professionals. Selection is based on the project's creative vision and feasibility, the artist's demonstrated skill and innovation, and the viability of the proposed budget. All applicants will be notified of their status by July 2026, and public announcements will follow in August. The award period runs from August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027. This opportunity is recurring and aims to support new cohorts annually. Artists who have previously received LIFT awards are not eligible to reapply, though past NACF grantees from before 2024 may still be considered. Questions related to application content or eligibility may be directed to Laura (Cales) Matalka at grantsupport@nativeartsandcultures.org or 360-334-7285. Technical support for the application system is available via apply@nativeartsandcultures.org or by calling 971-417-4835 Ext. 435. The program represents a transformative investment in both the creative and communal contributions of Native artists across the U.S.

Ensure artist compensation minimum met; align themes with social impact; feasibility and scope matter most.