The deadline has passed for this year and the National Folk Festival is no longer accepting applications for Native American indian artists to participate in the First People's Marketplace, a unique festival market that features the work of Native American artists.

Several applications have been received and from these, 19 artists will be accepted and invited to show their work at the First Peoples' Marketplace on July 10-12, 2009.

Both deeply traditional crafts and more contemporary artistic expressions rooted in Native American experience will be featured in the First People's Marketplace.

If interested in particpating in the First Peoples' Marketplace in 2010, check back here later this year to download guidelines and an application for next year's National Folk Festival July 9-11, 2010.

 

Selection Process - The First Peoples’ Marketplace features the juried, handmade creations of Montana's finest Native artists and craftspeople.  It will include both deeply traditional crafts and more contemporary artistic expressions rooted in the American Indian experience.

Applicants must comply with the definition of "Indian," or "Indian Artisan," under the Indian Arts & Crafts Act of 1990, and provide proof of this or show proof of being enrolled members of recognized Native American tribes.

A committee selects Marketplace vendors based on a set of criteria that includes: quality, uniqueness, authenticity, connection to regional culture, and artist’s relationship with his or her community. The committee reviews all applications and selects vendors who best meet these criteria. Selected participants will be strongly encouraged to demonstrate, if appropriate and feasible.

 

Note: for those in the “traditional arts” category, the festival adheres to the following definition:

Traditional arts are those art forms that are learned as part of the cultural life of a group of people whose members share a common ethnic heritage, language, religion, occupation, or culturally united geographic region.  Folk and traditional arts are shaped by the aesthetics and values of a shared culture and are passed from generation to generation, most often within family and community through observation, conversation and practice.

Source: National Endowment for the Arts

 

If you have questions about the First Peoples' Marketplace or any other aspect of the National Folk Festival, contact us.

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