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First Peoples Fund Expands Location

Amber Hoy

  A non-profit organization that helps Native artists across the country receive funding recently expanded their Rapid City location.  First Peoples Fund has put over six million dollars into the Black Hills economy over the last six years. The additional space helps accommodate new staff members and artists.

 

First Peoples Fund had been operating out of Rapid City for nearly 25 years. For the majority of time, the headquarters has been in a small, shared office building. Now, the organization has purchased the whole space. Cecily Engelheart is the Communications Manager.

 

It’s a good investment in the organization, it makes more sense financially and it was just the perfect timing since we were growing so exponentially.”

 

Engelheart says they plan to use the first floor for the business and rent out the upstairs. She says the staff has increased from six people to 12 and they’ve seen a roughly 20 percent growth in their annual budget in recent years. Engelheart says it’s great to see the support.

 

Credit Amber Hoy

“Our goal is to be able to support Native artists in lots of different mediums especially because there is a tendency to pigeonhole Native artists and what constitutes Native art. And we know that that is much richer and deeper and more vibrant and diverse than people realize. So we really want to push that to the forefront and make it known how expansive and expressive and rooted these different artforms are.”

 

First Peoples Fund supports about 25 Native artist across the country each year through grants, fellowships, workshops and classes.

 

“It’s just a really wide, wide range or people location wise, but then also mediums. Lingerie to hiphop to basket weaving to painting-all kinds of things.”

 

She says First People Fund has awarded 381 fellowships and funded hundred of culture bearers.  

 

“Our growth trajectory is looking like we want to continue expanding out staff but also what we’re able to offer.”

 

The non-profit is currently aiding in opening a new Art Space on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The space is scheduled to open later this year.