Strengthening Institutional Support for Native Artists (SISNA) is a national effort to ensure Native artists and culture bearers have the recognition, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive. Led by the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM) with funding from the Ford Foundation, the initiative brings together artists, community leaders, funders, and institutions to listen, learn, and plan together. Through conversations, regional networks, and a national master plan, SISNA is building a framework that will sustain Native creativity and culture for generations to come.
The SISNA Briefing Document provides an overview of the initiative’s goals, guiding principles, and early findings from national listening sessions. It outlines the vision for strengthening institutional partnerships that serve Native artists, summarizes challenges identified by the field, and presents opportunities for coordinated action. The document serves as a foundation for discussion and alignment among artists, institutions, and funders participating in the SISNA initiative.