Administrative Agency:

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Indian Arts and Crafts Board

Program Goals:

To promote the economic development of American Indians and Alaska Natives through their creative work and expansion of the market for the products of Native American art and craftsmanship and to increase their participation and control in the Native American fine arts and handicrafts business.

Resource Provided:

Advisory service and counseling.

Eligibility:

Enrolled members of federally-recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages.

Alaska Program Status:

This service agency is based in Washington, DC, and serves as a clearinghouse for information on Native American arts, crafts, and cultural programs, and responds to specific requests for assistance. The agency has worked with the Alaska Native Silver Hand Program, Kawerak, Inc. (Nome), St. Lawrence Island Original Ivory Cooperative, Ltd. (Gambell), CIRI Foundation (Anchorage), and Kodiak Area Native Association, as well as other Alaska Native cultural programs and individual craftspeople.

Comments:

This program provides a wide range of expert advice regarding the development and maintenance of American Indian and Alaska Native arts and crafts, with a strong emphasis on economic development. Among other activities, they publish a national directory of American Indian and Alaska Native-owned and -operated arts and crafts businesses, which provides a nationwide marketplace for Native American arts. They also conduct a museum exhibition program featuring the work of Native American artists and artisans, publish a list of Native American arts and crafts marketing events, and oversee the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990, PL 101-644.

Program Contact:  (Primary Contact listed first.)

Meridith Stanton, Director
Indian Arts and Crafts Board
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street NW, MS 2528
Washington, DC 20240
Phone: (202) 208-3773 (888) ART-FAKE
Fax: (202) 208-5196
e-mail: iacb@ios.doi.gov
Web site: http://www.iacb.doi.gov