TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner signed legislation on Monday to extend the tribe’s landmark Artist Recovery Act through 2026 and add $1 million in new funding.
“The Artist Recovery Act was initially intended to extend an economic lifeline to many artists when times were tough recovering from the pandemic. But since then, it has proven to enrich the Nation beyond the pandemic by encouraging unprecedented creativity to all Cherokees,” said Chief Hoskin. “We can go even further to support Cherokee artists, through the bad and the good times, in upcoming years.”
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.
“This Act is the best thing, I think, that’s happened for our young artists. It’s a good program,” said Cherokee National Treasure Eddie Morrison.
Authorization for the law ended last year, but Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner have extended the law through 2026 and added $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.
“Cherokee artists share the lifeways and creativity of our culture with a generation of Cherokee youth who hold their own potential, and we have a responsibility to support these culture-bearers and inspiring creatives,” 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 1% 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 District 2 Councilor 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 Councilor Joshua Sam.
The ARA, as well as the planned art facility in Stilwell, is under the direction of Cherokee Nation 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 initially meant to be temporary, gives way to a sustainable and permanent ‘Artist Resiliency Act.’”