The Walker Youngbird Foundation Announces Second Grant Opportunity for Early and Emerging Native Artists
The Walker Youngbird Foundation is excited to announce its second grant opportunity for early and emerging Native artists. This grant offers a unique chance for artists who blend tradition and innovation to receive support, visibility, and recognition for their work. Applications for this grant will close on February 19.
The selected artist will be awarded a $15,000 grant over a six-month period. During this time, they will have the opportunity to develop a creative project, receive mentorship from established artists and industry professionals, and participate in two showcase events that will highlight their work to curators, collectors, and gallerists.
Reid Walker, the Founder of the Walker Youngbird Foundation, emphasized the importance of supporting Native artists, who have historically been underrepresented in the art world. He noted that Native artists make up less than 1% of those featured in major U.S. art institutions, highlighting the need for programs like this grant to provide opportunities for emerging talent to break through systemic barriers and access the visibility and success they deserve.
Despite an increasing celebration of Native creators on a global scale, many still face limited access to institutional support. The Walker Youngbird Foundation aims to address this gap by championing emerging Native talent and providing them with the resources they need to thrive in the art world.
The Foundation’s inaugural grantee, Muskogee-Creek artist George Alexander, exemplifies the success of the program. Alexander’s work, which explores identity, heritage, and contemporary Native issues, was showcased at the Foundation’s launch event during Art Basel Miami. His nuanced perspectives have both challenged and inspired viewers, showcasing the power of Native voices in the art world.
George Alexander expressed his gratitude for the support he received from the Walker Youngbird Foundation, stating that their dedication had elevated his art to new heights and enriched his creative experience in ways he never imagined.
The grant is open to Native American artists from all tribal nations, as well as Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native, and First Nations artists from Canada.
To learn more about this grant opportunity and to apply, visit walkeryoungbird.org.
