The Woodland Indian Arts Initiative (WIAI) is designed to promote and develop a foundation of cultural and economic support for traditional and contemporary Native American arts in Wisconsin. As part of this work, the Arts Board annually distributes funds from Gaming Compact monies to support artistic activities among Wisconsin's tribes, bands and urban Indian communities.
Types of Activities Funded
Funding priority goes to activities that work to build a long-term structure of support for Native arts in Wisconsin. These include but are not limited to:
- Professional arts administration positions in support of Native arts,
- Documentation of arts activities and cultural knowledge in Wisconsin’s Native communities,
- Technical assistance and professional development to Native artists and arts organizations,
- Presentation and promotion of Wisconsin’s Native artists through festivals, markets, exhibitions, various media and other forms of presentation, and
- Planning grants in preparation for any of the above.
New, expanded or existing projects are eligible. Traditional and contemporary art forms are welcome.
To find recent reports on needs articulated by Wisconsin Native artists, see here.
Grant Amounts
Award amounts are $1,500 - $4,000 for an 11-month period. See guidelines for details on matching requirements and eligible use of funds.
Who Can Apply:
Applicants must be organizations that provide direct services to members of Wisconsin’s Indian communities and:
- are a unit of tribal government or hold tax-exempt status from federal income tax under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code;
- are incorporated in and conduct business in Wisconsin and have been doing so for at least 3 years;
- conduct arts-related work that involves and benefits Wisconsin’s Native American communities;
- are the most appropriate sponsor for the proposed activities; and
- are able to match each dollar of Arts Board support with cash constituting at least ½ of the match. The other half of the match can be in-kind, cash, or a combination of the two.
Unincorporated nonprofit groups and incorporated nonprofit organizations that have been doing mission-related work for at least three years but lack 501(c)3 status from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can apply using a separate nonprofit organization as a fiscal receiver. See the guidelines for more discussion of working with fiscal receivers.
To Apply
Complete these three steps:
- Submit an electronic WIAI grant application by 3 p.m. on the due date. Applications submitted after 3 pm that day will not be accepted.
- Mail a printed copy of the completed application with original signatures to the Arts Board. This must be postmarked no later than the next day of business.
- Submit a work sample by the next business day. These can be either mailed with the signed application or can be uploaded through the on-line application form.
The guidelines provide detailed guidance on completing and submitting the application and work samples.
Timeline (for FY16)
- October 30, 2015: Electronic applications due
- November 2, 2015: Postmark deadline for mailed materials
- November 30, 2015: Panel meets to review applications
- December 4, 2015: WAB votes on panel’s funding recommendations
- December 2015: Contracts are mailed to successful applicants. Awardees must sign and return contracts and other required paperwork. Checks will be issued upon WAB receipt of all necessary materials.
- January 1, 2016: Projects can begin
- November 30, 2016: Project end date
- December 31, 2016: Final report due