2026 OLA Artist in Residence Application

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Overview

Founded in 1995, First Peoples Fund is guided by our belief in Collective Spirit. Collective Spirit is a commitment to nurture our shared humanity and honor our connection to one another, the lands around us, those who came before us, and the spirit of all things. The Collective Spirit moves each of us to stand up and make a difference, pass on ancestral knowledge, and extend a hand of generosity. The Collective Spirit is essential to sustaining the cultural fabric of Native communities and our ability to thrive.

Our mission is to honor and support the Collective Spirit of First Peoples artists and culture bearers. Our work recognizes the power of art and culture to bring about positive change in Native communities, beginning with individual artists and their families. 

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Oglala Lakota Artspace Artist in Residence

The Artist in Residency (AiR) program is designed to support Oglala Lakota culture bearers and artists working in the continuum of Lakota art, historically, traditionally, and contemporarily, to develop their practice, explore connections, and build collaborations with local artists and community.  We hope to provide uninterrupted time and space for culture bearers and artists to connect, reconnect and ground their work in the community. 

The Oglala Lakota Artspace (OLA) strives to provide a respectful, comfortable and productive environment, freeing artists from the pressures and distractions of daily life. Residencies range from two (2) to four (4) weeks in length. We will provide living accommodations, food stipend, workspace, material stipend, transportation to and from residency, weekly gas stipend and time for artists to concentrate on their creative practice. 

The residency is open to visual artists, writers, composers, choreographers, interdisciplinary artists, performance artists, and collaborative teams. Strong applicants will exhibit professional standing in their field. All artists / creatives are encouraged to apply (established & emerging).

OLA Artist in Residence Objectives

  • Increase community access to resources
    • Cultural knowledge 
    • Networks
    • Creative spaces
  • Deepened cultural identity and community cohesion
  • Bring an intergenerational audience together
  • Strengthen the connection to cultural homelands and culture 

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Residency Details

Duration & Dates 

Residencies Durations is anywhere from 2-4 weeks

  • Year 4 | May 2026 - October 2026


Disciplines & Materials

Native artists and Culture bearers are essential to sustaining their culture and communities through their creative practices. First Peoples Fund supports their growth and work by providing access to resources they need to grow as entrepreneurs and community leaders. We encourage all first-time applications and returning applicants who have not received a residency with the Oglala Lakota Artspace. 

  • Culture Bearers and artists of all visual, literary, or media arts disciplines may apply 
  • Artists working in most media will be considered.
    • Artists working with toxic materials, hazardous machinery, etc., will not be considered due to limitations within the building. 


Support

Stipends vary by residency length

  • $1350 stipend for a two (2) week residency + Material supply support $500
  • $1975 stipend for a three (3) week residency + Material supply support $625
  • $2600 stipend for a four (4) week residency + Material supply support $750

Material stipend, some living expenses, and rental car (if needed), along with a weekly gas stipend of $50.00

Travel to and from residency (mileage, or plane ticket, etc.)

A furnished cabin with a kitchen, bath, and wifi will be provided for artists traveling outside the area.  (If the artist has local accommodations, funds can be provided to support those living arrangements) 

Modest studio space with good light, heat, and cooling, located in the Oglala Lakota Artspace.  There is some public equipment available (please see FAQ for the full list of available equipment)


Expectations

All artists-in-residence are required to participate in or lead at least one community engagement, either on-site or offsite, during their residency. The type and scope of the community engagement will be mutually designed and agreed upon by the artist and OLA staff. Engagements include community projects, lectures, demonstrations, youth-learning experiences, workshops, and other special programming. 

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Community, geography, and space

The Oglala Lakota Artspace is located 6 miles (7 min drive) from Kyle, SD, in a growing cultural corridor near Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce and Oglala Lakota College, centrally located on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. The area is considered a rural community and is 85 miles from the nearest city amenities.. 

The arts facility is a Native-run program administered by Oglala Lakota Artspace LLC, a program of First Peoples Fund. Oglala Lakota Artspace LLC partners with local artists, organizations and schools to provide workshops, presentations, lectures, demonstrations, and community learning experiences across the Pine Ridge Reservation.

The 8,500 square-foot arts facility features:

  • Artist Studios
  • Wicahpi Olowan Recording Studio (A Playing for Change Foundation Program)
  • Performance Space in the Garage
  • Classroom Space
  • Commercial Space
  • Outdoor Market Space
  • Community Gathering Space

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General Eligibility 

A primary applicant may submit only one OLA AiR application per year. All primary applicants must meet all of the general requirements below before applying to any of the categories. 

Individuals applying to the OLA AiR: 

  • Must be at least 18 years of age. 
  • Must be an enrolled member or provide proof of lineal descendancy of the Oceti Sakowin Tribes of South Dakota.
  • Applicants may be emerging or established culture bearers and/or artists. 
  • Applicants must be practicing artists. 
  • Current studio artist tenants are not eligible to apply. 
  • Must have submitted a Final Report for any previously awarded FPF grants/support.

Ineligible for Support  

  • Projects, groups, or organizations affiliated or sponsored by colleges or universities x Student work completed for academic credit or as part of an academically supported project, program, or residency 
  • Artists/Culture Bearers who received a residency in the previous year
  • Artists/Culture Bearers who have a fellowship with FPF in the concurrent year as the residency 
  • Artists/Ensembles who have outstanding reports for previous FPF support/grant
  • Current OLA studio artist tenants are not eligible to apply; Please contact leslie@firstpeoplesfund.org to discuss other potential opportunities.

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Application Timeline

  • Call to artists open | November 16, 2025
  • Application Deadline | January 8, 2026, at 11:59 pm MT  | APPLY HERE
  • Applications Review | Jan - Feb 5, 2026
  • Notification of award | March 1, 2026


 

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