Grants, Artist Opportunities & Directories for Indigenous Communities

Providing equitable access to funding, mentorship, and exposure is essential for supporting Indigenous creators, whose cultural contribution enriches the arts locally and globally. This curated selection highlights grants, artist opportunities, and directories specifically designed to uplift Indigenous photographers, visual artists, and storytellers, as well as those whose experiences intersect with other underrepresented communities.

IMAGE CREDIT:
Qaxe’el” (Photo: © Ajpu Nicho)

Indigenous-Specific Resources

Native Arts and Cultures Foundation

Focused on Indigenous artists, this foundation offers a spectrum of resources and programs especially accessible for portrait photographers, videographers, and storytellers who weave together quantitative and qualitative data. Priority is placed on those with lived or professional experience in BIPOC, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQ2SIA+, and other underrepresented communities.

Explore resources and apply.

General Photography Grants (Open to Indigenous Artists)

Vital Impacts Environmental Photography Grant
This grant awards one $20,000 grant and six $5,000 grants, empowering selected photographers to bring vital environmental and community stories to life. Winners also receive mentorship and guidance in publishing and showcasing their work. Ten additional mentorships for emerging photographers are made available.
Deadline: August 21, 2025 (check for updates or extensions, and stay tuned for the 2026 cycle).

Learn more and apply.

W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography
Widely recognized, the 2025 grant provides a $30,000 main award and two $10,000 Finalist Grants to support long-term projects based on humanistic photography.

View details and apply.

Innovate Artist Grants
Every quarter, Innovate Artist Grants distributes two $1,800 awards—one to a Visual Artist and another to a Photographer—with the Fall 2025 cycle currently accepting submissions.

Apply for the current cycle.

Powerhouse Arts Artist Subsidy
Open to Black, Indigenous, artists of color, LGBTQIA+, disabled, and refugee artists, Powerhouse Arts offers up to $6,250 for fabrication services, including materials in their specialized shops. The last deadline was January 8, 2025; check the site for updates about the next cycle.

Discover details and future opportunities.

Directories & Resources

Indigenous Photograph Database
A comprehensive directory showcasing Native American photographers across North America, fostering connection and visibility for Indigenous image makers.

Browse the database.

Diversify Photo
Providing industry resources to elevate marginalized voices, Diversify Photo shares news about workshops, grants, contests, and professional opportunities benefitting diverse creators.

See current listings.

This guide is updated regularly to ensure Indigenous artists have access to funding, mentorship, and professional opportunities. For up-to-date information and deadline specifics, always review links directly and set calendar reminders for grant cycles and new listing announcements.