Artisan Fund
Projects - Diversified strategies for sustainable impact –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Artisan Fund The Artisan Fund maintains a reliable source of supplies and products essential in the creation of Huichol art forms. Individuals, families, and entire communities rely upon the delivery of artistic supplies, including beads, yarn, fabrics, and other materials that artisans would otherwise have to purchase in Mexican towns and cities outside the Huichol territory. The Huichol Foundation provides more than just artistic necessities. Through this project a sustainable economic structure is supported in which tribal members are able to remain in their villages and preserve their cultural livelihoods, rather than leaving their families to work in unhealthy environments. This project fosters the strengthening of culturally-aligned economies and empowers community members to support themselves through through their traditional artisanship. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
How this project helps Impacts: Cultural & Economic Goals: 1. Supports the culturally inherent community and family structure a. Artisanship is an innate aspect of Huichol culture. In order to foster the continued artistic development within the tribe, the Huichol foundation subsidizes various materials used in the making of traditional arts and crafts. Supporting their traditional artisanship allows the Huichol people to remain in their villages creating their art, avoiding the necessity to work in the unhealthy conditions of corporate agriculture, where hazardous chemicals are often used. In turn, villages produce
a variety of salable art objects, which include weavings, yarn paintings, masks, embroidery, traditional garments, beadwork, and sculpture. 2. Provides sustainable income for individual artisans & their households a. Subsidizing the raw materials of their art allows for many Huichol artisans to continue their traditional livelihood. By providing the tools and materials needed for the Huichol to create their art, their cultural and economic futures are ensured. The Huichol Foundation also works to foster an international niche market for Huichol fine art. In doing so, various viable life-long revenue streams are created for tribal artisans. 3. Involves the youth to secure an enduring social and economic framework a. Huichol life is built upon the foundation of a strong tribal community. Elders, newborns and everyone in between plays an integral part in the holistic community approach existent for countless generations. Because of this we understand the importance of multi-generational involvement in traditional Huichol arts. By underscoring the artistic education of young tribal members we help sustain both the art forms and traditional artistic lifestyles. An enduring socioeconomic framework is secured as a result of inspiring the youth to participate in all aspects of their culture the enduring socio-economic community structure is upheld. 4. Encourages the mastering of ancient art forms a. We believe that artisanship will continue to inspire deep cultural study within Huichol communities. In learning traditional art forms tribal individuals subsequently gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for their mythology, ceremonial practices, and language. Because of this, supporting Huichol artisanship bolsters multiple layers of positive cultural impacts. 5. Protects authentic visionary custom of artistry a. Unspoken Huichol law insists upon the inspiration for each artistic design to be born from dream or vision. The authenticity of Huichol art in turn requires the creation of each art form to be born from personal experience. This aesthetic sophistication is thus rooted in a deep understanding of their belief system. Through fortifying their artistic heritage, the Huichol spiritual belief system is spontaneously protected. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Direct Beneficiaries - Who this project supports 1. Traditional Huichol artisans a. Artisans receive subsidized materials delivered directly to local villages, so that they are not required to leave their territory to purchase these goods.
2. Huichol families b. Both Huichol men and women create art. The creation of traditional art is one form of tribal community building through which elders teach the younger generations technique, as well as cultural significance within the art forms. By supporting the artisanship within the tribe, the entire family and community structure is upheld. 3. Huichol children / future generations c. In providing the necessary supplies to create art, the Huichol Foundation aims to sustain trained artisans today. We also want to encourage the artists of tomorrow to carry on the ancient art forms. d. Integrated art programs in Huichol schools offer a balanced education through which Huichol children can gain the skills and cultural understanding necessary to continue their traditional livelihoods. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Project Partners 1. Bead manufacturers a. The Huichol Foundation sources beads from sustainable manufactures of highquality beads. These uniform beads are used in the creation of intricate and highly detailed artwork. 2. Organic cotton producers b. Cotton, which the Huichol historically traded for with other native tribes, is one of the primary materials utilized in Huichol ceremonial clothing, woven and stitched medicine bags, and numerous other aspects of Huichol art. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Evaluation Methods 1. Improve sustainability of ancient art forms a. The Huichol Foundation is connected to numerous organizations that purchase and market Huichol art around the globe. This being the case, we have the ability to ascertain analytical data on the amount, quality and various types of art created by Huichol communities. With this information we have been able to gauge general trends during the past three decades. i. e.g. By providing finer yarns and more uniform beads, as requested by traditional artisans, the founding members of the Huichol Foundation have been able to reinvigorate more intricate weaving and beading methods. In
various villages, these methods had become rare prior to our encouragement and support. 2. Number of artisans b. A secondary form of project evaluation is determined by the growth of artistic expertise and competence within the tribe. The growth in number of individual artisans within each village constitutes the increased success of the project. 3. Sustained variance c. By tracking the continued variation among art created in different families and geographically independent villages, we can assure the sustainability of authentic art forms and support targeted groups lacking in materials or skills. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Cost Analysis 1. Supplies a. Thread........................................................................................ b. Beads......................................................................................... i. size 13.................................................................................. ii. size 16.................................................................................. iii. size 18.................................................................................. c. Beeswax.................................................................................... d. Knives........................................................................................ e. Cotton material.......................................................................... 2. Transportation b. International transport............................................................... c. National / Local transport.......................................................... 3. Distribution within Tribal Region c. Boat transportation and gasoline costs..................................... 4. Staff & Personnel d. Project Manager........................................................................ e. Local distributors....................................................................... –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Involved Groups & Individuals - Project Team Members 1. Organizational Team a. Marketing Specialist
i. Targeting online, social, and community outreach for increased future project support b. CFO & Accounting Agency i. Initial and ongoing project cost analysis ii. Investment benefits analysis and future community investment strategies iii. Management and oversight of expenses 2. Implementation Team b. Project Coordinator & onsite team members ii. Work with appointed tribal representatives to transfer materials and goods iii. Coordinate and oversee dispersion effectivity of materials and goods iv.Mange current inventory v. Record amount of deliverables and document use and application of various materials c. Tribal representatives ii. Coordinate with onsite project coordinator iii. In charge of transmitting raw art materials and goods directly to approved artisans, families and village schools iv.Manage community responses and convey feedback to Project Coordinator
Artisan Fund The Artisan Fund maintains a reliable source of supplies and products essential in the creation of Huichol art forms. Individuals, families, and entire communities rely upon the delivery of artistic supplies, including beads, yarn, fabrics, and other materials that artisans would otherwise have to purchase in Mexican towns and cities outside the Huichol territory. The Huichol Foundation provides more than just artistic necessities. Through this project a sustainable economic structure is supported in which tribal members are able to remain in their villages and preserve their cultural livelihoods, rather than leaving their families to work in unhealthy environments. This project fosters the strengthening of culturally-aligned economies and empowers community members to support themselves through through their traditional artisanship. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
How this project helps Impacts: Cultural & Economic Goals: 1. Supports the culturally inherent community and family structure a. Artisanship is an innate aspect of Huichol culture. In order to foster the continued artistic development within the tribe, the Huichol foundation subsidizes various materials used in the making of traditional arts and crafts. Supporting their traditional artisanship allows the Huichol people to remain in their villages creating their art, avoiding the necessity to work in the unhealthy conditions of corporate agriculture, where hazardous chemicals are often used. In turn, villages produce
a variety of salable art objects, which include weavings, yarn paintings, masks, embroidery, traditional garments, beadwork, and sculpture. 2. Provides sustainable income for individual artisans & their households a. Subsidizing the raw materials of their art allows for many Huichol artisans to continue their traditional livelihood. By providing the tools and materials needed for the Huichol to create their art, their cultural and economic futures are ensured. The Huichol Foundation also works to foster an international niche market for Huichol fine art. In doing so, various viable life-long revenue streams are created for tribal artisans. 3. Involves the youth to secure an enduring social and economic framework a. Huichol life is built upon the foundation of a strong tribal community. Elders, newborns and everyone in between plays an integral part in the holistic community approach existent for countless generations. Because of this we understand the importance of multi-generational involvement in traditional Huichol arts. By underscoring the artistic education of young tribal members we help sustain both the art forms and traditional artistic lifestyles. An enduring socioeconomic framework is secured as a result of inspiring the youth to participate in all aspects of their culture the enduring socio-economic community structure is upheld. 4. Encourages the mastering of ancient art forms a. We believe that artisanship will continue to inspire deep cultural study within Huichol communities. In learning traditional art forms tribal individuals subsequently gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for their mythology, ceremonial practices, and language. Because of this, supporting Huichol artisanship bolsters multiple layers of positive cultural impacts. 5. Protects authentic visionary custom of artistry a. Unspoken Huichol law insists upon the inspiration for each artistic design to be born from dream or vision. The authenticity of Huichol art in turn requires the creation of each art form to be born from personal experience. This aesthetic sophistication is thus rooted in a deep understanding of their belief system. Through fortifying their artistic heritage, the Huichol spiritual belief system is spontaneously protected. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Direct Beneficiaries - Who this project supports 1. Traditional Huichol artisans a. Artisans receive subsidized materials delivered directly to local villages, so that they are not required to leave their territory to purchase these goods.
2. Huichol families b. Both Huichol men and women create art. The creation of traditional art is one form of tribal community building through which elders teach the younger generations technique, as well as cultural significance within the art forms. By supporting the artisanship within the tribe, the entire family and community structure is upheld. 3. Huichol children / future generations c. In providing the necessary supplies to create art, the Huichol Foundation aims to sustain trained artisans today. We also want to encourage the artists of tomorrow to carry on the ancient art forms. d. Integrated art programs in Huichol schools offer a balanced education through which Huichol children can gain the skills and cultural understanding necessary to continue their traditional livelihoods. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Project Partners 1. Bead manufacturers a. The Huichol Foundation sources beads from sustainable manufactures of highquality beads. These uniform beads are used in the creation of intricate and highly detailed artwork. 2. Organic cotton producers b. Cotton, which the Huichol historically traded for with other native tribes, is one of the primary materials utilized in Huichol ceremonial clothing, woven and stitched medicine bags, and numerous other aspects of Huichol art. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Evaluation Methods 1. Improve sustainability of ancient art forms a. The Huichol Foundation is connected to numerous organizations that purchase and market Huichol art around the globe. This being the case, we have the ability to ascertain analytical data on the amount, quality and various types of art created by Huichol communities. With this information we have been able to gauge general trends during the past three decades. i. e.g. By providing finer yarns and more uniform beads, as requested by traditional artisans, the founding members of the Huichol Foundation have been able to reinvigorate more intricate weaving and beading methods. In
various villages, these methods had become rare prior to our encouragement and support. 2. Number of artisans b. A secondary form of project evaluation is determined by the growth of artistic expertise and competence within the tribe. The growth in number of individual artisans within each village constitutes the increased success of the project. 3. Sustained variance c. By tracking the continued variation among art created in different families and geographically independent villages, we can assure the sustainability of authentic art forms and support targeted groups lacking in materials or skills. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Cost Analysis 1. Supplies a. Thread........................................................................................ b. Beads......................................................................................... i. size 13.................................................................................. ii. size 16.................................................................................. iii. size 18.................................................................................. c. Beeswax.................................................................................... d. Knives........................................................................................ e. Cotton material.......................................................................... 2. Transportation b. International transport............................................................... c. National / Local transport.......................................................... 3. Distribution within Tribal Region c. Boat transportation and gasoline costs..................................... 4. Staff & Personnel d. Project Manager........................................................................ e. Local distributors....................................................................... –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Involved Groups & Individuals - Project Team Members 1. Organizational Team a. Marketing Specialist
i. Targeting online, social, and community outreach for increased future project support b. CFO & Accounting Agency i. Initial and ongoing project cost analysis ii. Investment benefits analysis and future community investment strategies iii. Management and oversight of expenses 2. Implementation Team b. Project Coordinator & onsite team members ii. Work with appointed tribal representatives to transfer materials and goods iii. Coordinate and oversee dispersion effectivity of materials and goods iv.Mange current inventory v. Record amount of deliverables and document use and application of various materials c. Tribal representatives ii. Coordinate with onsite project coordinator iii. In charge of transmitting raw art materials and goods directly to approved artisans, families and village schools iv.Manage community responses and convey feedback to Project Coordinator
