Build an artist directory or cultural inventory to document the resources and the talents within your community.
Artist Directory
An artist directory includes information about community artists, including their disciplines, contact details, and artist statements. Take the information gathered to the next level and start promoting your community’s artists and culture bearers by:
- Creating an interactive map of historical sites, artist studios, traditional gathering spaces, and other important arts and culture locations.
- Building a website or social media page to showcase the community’s artists and cultural activities.
- Developing themed tours and experiences with local businesses and organizations.
Cultural Asset Inventory
A cultural inventory identifies people, places, and organizations that are unique to your community. There are five basic actions in conducting an inventory:
- Organizing a committee
- Engaging the community
- Identifying assets and resources
- Assign a community benefit
- Document the cultural inventory
Insights from the Cohort
During the NACC project, Ho-Chunk Nation expanded their already existing artist registry to include over 60 new emerging artists over the age of 18 and 128 youth artists (K-12).
The Ho-Chunk Nation Artist Registry also includes categories for “Connected Artists” comprised of non-Ho-Chunk spouses and others willing to teach, and “Deceased Artists” to ensure that the Nation continues to recognize their contribution to the preservation and teaching of arts and culture.
Recorded Presentations
- CULTURAL ASSET INVENTORY & MAPPING (26:31) – Barbara Mumby-Huerta, former Vice-President of Programs & Partnerships at Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, shares insights from her work on a Cultural District Implementation Board which worked with nine different community groups to establish cultural districts and introduces the process of Cultural Asset Mapping. The presentation covers why asset mapping is important, how to begin, how to conduct an inventory, assessment of the findings, and more.
- DEVELOPING A NATIVE ARTS DIRECTORY (27:36) – Audrey Jacob, former Director of Arts at the Choctaw Cultural Center explains the Choctaw Nation Artist Registry as well as the processes and added benefits of creating an Artist Directory for the Choctaw Nation.