Native American Arts Center
Since its founding in 1946, Idyllwild Arts has always been firmly rooted in respect for and reverence of Native American arts and culture. While the Summer Program has offered dynamic Native American Arts workshops and programming for over 70 years, the Native American Arts Center opened in 2022 to expand these offerings year-round, effectively establishing Idyllwild Arts as a leader in supporting Indigenous artistic expression and cultural affirmation. The center nurtures relationships with many Indigenous communities, provides access to arts education for Native students, and supports Indigenous artists’ professional development in a safe space to connect with nature and create new works through artist residencies.
Programs
The Native American Arts Center curates a robust calendar of workshops, performances, lectures, exhibitions, and other engaging community events led by Indigenous teaching artists, traditional knowledge bearers, and scholars in many fields who cross-pollinate their talents while providing valuable educational opportunities.
Workshops
2025 Summer Workshops Will Take Place June 9-27, 2025
Thought-provoking workshops stimulate conversations, empower creative contributions, and strengthen community.
Past onsite offerings for Native American Arts have included:
Introduction to Glassblowing | The Beaded Cuff | Small-Scale & Wearable Art Casting | Cahuilla Basketry | Cahuilla-Style Pottery | Contemporary & Traditional Medicinal Uses of California Native Plants | Central California Coast Shell Jewelry & Figurines | Encaustic in the Third Dimension | Ho-Chunk Porcupine Embroidery | …and many more!
Festival Week
The Native American Arts Center produces and hosts the annual Native American Arts Festival Week, designed to enhance and add depth to the Summer Program workshop experience. The week-long festival provides a provocative learning experience by bringing together distinguished artists, scholars, and cultural specialists to present performances, demonstrations, films, exhibitions, showcases, and the popular Michael Kabotie Lecture Series.
Lectures
Stimulating lectures by notable visiting guest artists regularly provide new perspectives, elevate discourse, and challenge traditional perspectives.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for Native American students.
NAAC Building
Working with Sander Architects, the NAAC has plans to build a new physical space for the year-round programming already underway. As part of the construction, the NAAC will also oversee the Meadows Restoration Project to protect a sacred Cahuilla archeological site on the Idyllwild Arts campus.
Are you interested in joining our Native American Arts Center Advisory committee? Please contact Olivia Webb, Native American Arts Center Assistant and Meadows Restoration Project Coordinator: owebb@idyllwildarts.org
14
Hands-on Summer Program workshops
120+
Over 120 adult learners
1,750+
Over 1750 people reached in-person and online
33
Tribal communities represented in 2023 workshops and programs
Idyllwild Arts Land Acknowledgement
Idyllwild Arts respectfully acknowledges the Qawishpa Cahuillangnah (also known as Cahuilla Band of Indians) and all nine sovereign Bands of Cahuilla people who have stewarded this land throughout the generations and continue to steward this land for all future generations.
Shaliyah Ben
Executive Director, Native American Arts Center
951.659.2171 x2327
sben@idyllwildarts.org
Staff
Special thanks to the following benefactors, whose generous support makes our Native American Arts Program and Festival possible: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians |Cahuilla Band of Indians | Chickasaw Nation | Morongo Band of Mission Indians | San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians | San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians | Soboba Foundation/Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians | Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations | Anonymous Foundation
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