TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr, and Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner proposed legislation on Friday to extend the tribe’s landmark Artist Recovery Act through 2026 and add $1 million in new funding.
“The Artist Recovery Act provided an economic lifeline to many artists when times were tough and we were recovering from the pandemic, but it has enriched all Cherokees by encouraging a period of unprecedented creativity,” said Chief Hoskin. “We can go further, so we must go further to support Cherokee artists in the years ahead.”
The law, originally passed in 2022, set aside $3 million to purchase art from Cherokee artists, support market access for Cherokee artists and support testing and landing opportunities in the arts.
To date the law has been responsible for the purchase of 521 pieces of art from 170 Cherokee artists. Art purchased under the law is owned by the Cherokee Nation on behalf of the Cherokee people into perpetuity.
The law also supported a number of teaching opportunities for Cherokee artists and helped artists with resources and techniques to better access streams of commerce.
“I really appreciate the efforts of Cherokee Nation to support the artists through the Artist Recovery Act. I make my living through my art entirely and Cherokee Nation purchases a big portion of that,” said Cherokee National Treasure Lisa Rutherford. “This year, art market sales have been really down, and I know that my friends and I are cutting way back on travel, so we’re going to focus on teaching and working at home, so I am utilizing the resources of Cherokee Nation a lot to make a living with my art. I’m excited that we’re going to continue the Act with more funding. We’ve had some short-term classes, but the supplies are expensive, so having more funding means longer, more intermediate classes.”
Authorization for the law ended last year, but Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner’s proposal extends the law through 2026 and adds $1 million in new funding. The additional funding will be added to the unspent funds under the current law, for a total investment of $4 million.
“We have a responsibility to not only support our artists community but to encourage the sharing of lifeways and creativity among a generation of young Cherokees with so much potential,” said Deputy Chief Warner. “The Artist Recovery Act meets both of those responsibilities and does so much more.”
ARA funded art, which ranges from small items to large pieces of public art, can be seen across Cherokee Nation properties. Those acquisitions, by law, are in addition to the tribe’s longstanding law to commit one percent of capital construction budgets to purchasing artwork for new facilities.
“As an advocate for Cherokee artists, I fully support this extension and funding boost to increase opportunities for artists and encourage creativity while building a richer cultural presence in our communities. I’m grateful to Chief and Deputy for championing this amended legislation, which I am honored to sponsor,” said Council Member Candessa Tehee.
The law commits up to $1.6 million to support artists related capital projects. Those funds will help complete the tribe’s planned art repository in Stilwell, which will house art for temporary storage, repair and include gallery space and space for art classes.
“The Artist Recovery Act has had a profound impact for our artists throughout the reservation. The extension of this tremendous act is even sweeter for those in District 7, as it includes an investment into a much-needed art facility in Stilwell that exemplifies the long-term art investment this Administration and Tribal Council are expanding in our outlying communities,” said Council member Josh Sam.
The ARA, as well as the planned art facility in Stilwell is under the direction of Cherokee Nation’s Businesses Cultural Tourism arm.
Chief Hoskin said the law requires his administration and the Council to look beyond the law’s sunset in 2026 to continue supporting the artist community.
“The law calls for a final report and a recommendation as to how to keep making progress after 2026,” said Chief Hoskin. “I see a day when the Artist Recovery Act, which was always meant to be temporary, gives way to a sustainable and permanent ‘Artist Resiliency Act.”