Indigenous Artist Initiative
Arts ETC’s Indigenous Artist Initiative is a grant that seeks to preserve the history and tradition of art forms from various global communities by supporting the artists that make them. The initiative recognizes the work of artists that work in a traditional art form or style from Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean. In 2020, Arts ETC decided to include crafts and fiber arts as a recognized traditional art form.
2024 Grant Recipient:
Diana Jensen, United States
Art Form: Reverse Glass Painting
Right: Facade by Diana Jensen
2024 Grant Recipient:
Janice Anderson, United States
Art Form: Dollmaking
Pictured left to right: poet Esther Morales, fiber artist Janice Anderson next to one of her Spirit Dolls and artist Joya Thompson.
2022 Grant Recipient:
Margaret Martin, United States
Art Form: Traditional Weaving and Textile Dyeing
Right: Indigo Dyed with Japanese Shibori Textile by Margaret Martin
2021 Grant Recipient:
Gasali Adeyemo, Nigeria
Art Form: Traditional Yoruba Batik and Adire Eleko
Left: Yoruba Batik and Adire Eleko by Gasali Adeyemo
2020 Grant Recipient:
Cynthia Crenshaw, United States
Art Form: Traditional Crochet
Right: Felted crochet handbag by Cynthia Crenshaw
2014 Grant Recipient:
Ibou Ndoye, Senegal
Art Form: Traditional reverse glass painting
Left: Storyteller, reverse glass painting by Ibou Ndoye
2010 Grant Recipient:
Rahmon Olugunna, Nigeria
Art Form: Oshogbo painting from Nigeria
Right: Single Mother, oil painting by Rahmon Olugunna
