COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

AMERICAN INDIAN ARTISTS INC

NEW YORK, NY · EIN 133515233 · Form 990 · FY2024 · Small ($100K-$1M)
revenue
$259K
expenses
$195K
net assets
$1.2M
employees
1
program ratio
68%
mission · from form 990

NATIVE AMERICAN ART AND CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

profile · synthesized from sources

AMERICAN INDIAN ARTISTS INC supports Native American art, culture, and community through the production and promotion of films, literary works, and public programming. The organization funds creative projects that highlight contemporary and historical Native American traditions, including feature films, documentaries, and anthologies. Based in New York, it operates nationally with a focus on cultural preservation and public education.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $18K
    THE HEART STAYS A DRAMATIC FEATURE FILM OF CONTEMPORARY NATIVE AMERICAN TRADITION AND CULTURE. MONIES WERE USED FOR: LEGAL FEES, PANELIST/MODERATORS FOR SCREENINGS, COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS FOR PRESS TO SCREENING, MARKETING, TRAVEL TO THEATRICAL SCREENINGS, PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP DUES, FILM FESTIVAL ENTRY FEES, AWARD COMPETITION ENTRY FEES, THEATER RENTAL.
  2. #2 $40K
    VARIOUS OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDING: DREAM STARTER -PRETTY HAIR CAMP A DRAMATIC SHORT FILM OF NATIVE AMERICAN TRADITION AND CULTURE. MONIES WERE USED FOR: CINEMATOGRAPHER, STEADY CAMERA OPERATOR, 1ST ASSISTANT CAMERA OPERATOR, BEST BOY ELECTRIC, GAFFER, KEY GRIP, GRIP, BEST BOY GRIP,1ST ASS'T. DIRECTOR, 2ND ASS'T. DIRECTOR, LINE PRODUCER, PRODUCTION DESIGN CREW, COSTUME/HAIR & MAKE UP DESIGNERS, SCRIPT SUPERVISOR, SOUND MIXER DIALOGUE/SOUND EDITOR AND FILM/VIDEO STOCK, CAMERA PACKAGE RENTAL, ADDITIONAL CAMERA LENS PACKAGE, LIGHTING EQUIPMENT, SOUND EQUIPMENT, HAIR AND MAKE-UP DESIGN. HAIR AND MAKE-UP KIT, COSTUMES, COSTUME KIT, TRAVEL, LOCAL TRAVEL, MEALS/ENTERTAINMENT, PRODUCTION OFFICE SUPPLIES/POSTAGE, LOCATION FEES. LAND SALE - A DRAMATIC FEATURE FILM OF CONTEMPORARY NATIVE AMERICAN TRADITION AND CULTURE. MONIES WERE USED FOR: LEGAL FEES, CONSULTANT. THE REAWAKENING - A DRAMATIC FEATURE FILM OF CONTEMPORARY NATIVE AMERICAN TRADITION AND CULTURE. MONIES WERE USED FOR ARCHIVAL STORAGE.
named programs · 8 · from sources

What they call their work

Alcatraz 50th Anniversary
Public programming initiatives commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Native American occupation of Alcatraz Island
Dream Starter - Pretty Hair Camp
A dramatic short film depicting Native American cultural traditions, involving full production crew and equipment
Genocide of the Mind
A non-fiction anthology featuring writing from 33 emerging and established Native American writers
Land Sale
A dramatic feature film centered on contemporary Native American themes and cultural continuity
No Reservation: NY Contemporary Native American Art Movement
A non-fiction book documenting the history of the Native American art movement in New York City
Searching for Sequoyah
A documentary film about the life of Sequoyah, the Cherokee patriot who created the Cherokee writing system, completed for public television broadcast and DVD distribution
The Heart Stays
A dramatic feature film exploring contemporary Native American tradition and culture, supported by funding for screenings, travel, marketing, and production
The Reawakening
A dramatic feature film highlighting contemporary Native American tradition and culture, with support for archival storage
activities · 3 groups

What they do

  • Indigenous and Diaspora Cultural Preservation 1 activity
    • Organization of public cultural programming
      Organizes public events and screenings to promote contemporary Indigenous art and historical milestones, such as the launch event for Art in America's issue on Indigenous art and commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Native American occupation of Alcatraz Island.
  • Documentary Film Production 1 activity
    • Production and distribution of films on Native American culture
      Produces and supports the production, screening, and distribution of dramatic and documentary films that explore contemporary Native American tradition and culture, including "The Heart Stays," "Searching for Sequoyah," "Dream Starter – Pretty Hair Camp," "Land Sale," and "The Reawakening," with activities spanning principal photography, theatrical screenings, panel discussions, press engagement, marketing, and archival support.
  • Artist and Curatorial Publications 1 activity
    • Publication of books on Native American art and thought
      Researches, compiles, and publishes non-fiction books and anthologies documenting the Native American art movement and intellectual life, including "No Reservation: NY Contemporary Native American Art Movement" and "Genocide of the Mind," a collection of writings from 33 Native American writers.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$259K
Contributions & grants$246K95%
Program service revenue$2K1%
Investment income$12K5%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$195K
Program expenses68%
Admin / overhead32%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$33K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$1.19M
Cash$631K
Investments$165K
Liabilities$0
Net assets$1.19M
Liquid reserves49.0 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -19.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
DAVID BUNN MARTINE CHAIRPERSON 40 $25K
board members · 2
  • INA MCNEIL — VICE CHAIRPE
  • LORENZO CLAYTON — MEMBER
relationships · 2

Who they work with

  • Artists Space Partner — Collaborated on book launch and screening events for Art in America's issue on contemporary Indigenous art.
  • Native Art Department International Partner — Partnered with Maria Hupfield and Jason Lujan of Native Art Department International for curated screenings and exhibitions.
strategies · 2

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Artist-Centered Narrative Control
    methodology: artist_centered_narrative
    By centering Native artists' own voices and self-initiated contexts, the organization increases public visibility of Indigenous art while countering misrepresentation, because authentic narrative control fosters accurate cultural interpretation and inclusion in contemporary art discourse.
  • Storytelling as Cultural Preservation and Education
    methodology: storytelling_through_film
    By using narrative and documentary filmmaking, the organization preserves contemporary Native traditions and educates the public about historical figures, because film serves as an accessible, impactful medium to transmit cultural knowledge and challenge historical erasure.