June was a month of significant achievements: nurturing hope, strengthening community, and exchanging cultural knowledge.

On June 24^th, Lauren Barkume, ATA’s Training Director, joined 26 entrepreneurs in Washington D.C. for an Inter-American Foundation (IAF) sponsored event where she delivered an inspiring presentation entitled “Keys to Successful Sales in the US” during the Indigenous Exchange Program.

This workshop provided a unique forum for indigenous communities from Peru, Brazil, Mexico, and Tribal Nations of the United States and Canada to exchange ideas and experiences and foster sustainable collaborations. Through its initiatives, the IAF is improving the lives of indigenous grantees by empowering them with valuable insights and tools for success.

The events continued on June 25^th with an Indigenous and Native American Artisan Showcase, an exhibition of talent and craftsmanship held at the congressional Rayburn House Office Building. This showcase highlighted the incredible skills of IAF Indigenous Exchange program participants from across the Americas. Attendees enjoyed stunning displays of traditional woodwork, beadwork, sewn and woven products, ceramics, and more. The artisan showcase also featured keynote remarks from the honorable Congresswoman Norma Torres (D-CA). The event showed the diversity and creativity of these artisans, giving them a platform to shine, share, and celebrate their cultural heritage with an audience of Congresspeople and their staffs.

After the Showcase, activities continued from June 26^th-July 1^st at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, an annual event celebrating cultural heritage and traditional crafts from around the world. This year’s theme was “Indigenous Voices of the Americas” and highlighted contemporary and traditional creative expressions through various events, demonstrations and performances. The festival featured chefs, musicians, dancers, athletes, storytellers and the artisans and Tribal Members from the IAF Indigenous Exchange program.

These events fostered the exchange of knowledge, celebration of artisan craftmanship, collaboration, and cultural exchange. Thank you to the Inter-American Foundation for making these events possible, and most importantly, to the artisans who generously shared their expertise, stories, and creativity with the world.

Pictured: Entrepreneurs during an artisan showcase – photo taken by IAF photographer (top left), family photo of participating entrepreneurs during the IAF fair (bottom left), participant sharing thoughts during the training session (bottom center), entrepreneurs at the IAF artisan fair displaying their products (bottom right).

This month, we partnered with the Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children in Gaza to raise funds for artisans in need. Together with your support, we are rebuilding hope for those who need it most.

Atfaluna is an organization dedicated to empowering deaf artisans in Gaza. The “Rebuilding Hope: Help Support Atfaluna Artisans in Gaza” campaign aims to raise essential funds for artisans so that they can support their families and continue their artisan work in difficult circumstances.

You can make a real difference. By donating to this campaign, you will be supporting 50 artisans and their families to preserve their livelihoods and craft cultural heritage. Watch the video below to learn more about this initiative and donate HERE today.

Pictured: Video by Atfaluna Society.

The wait is over! We are now accepting applications for the 2024 Canvas Home Small Grants program! In partnership with Canvas Home, these small grants, with awards ranging from $500-$1500, support artisan entrepreneurs around the world to develop sustainable businesses. These funds are used for materials, supplies, or training and marketing efforts.

Competition for these grants is fierce, so to help you develop a powerful application we have created a Canvas Home Small Grants FAQ resource to help you prepare a quality application.

Want to hear from a past winner? A member of PashooPackshee, a 2021 Canvas Home Small Grants winner, shared:

“The look and feel of our center changed. From a production center, it now looks [like] a pretty craft center. This has [created] a positive vibe to the place and we can see that our women artisans now take pride [in] coming to the center.”

Apply for your small grant HERE today! Applications close July 31^st at 11:59 PM EST.

Pictured: Artisan from PashooPackshee stitching on the New overlock machine purchased with the grant.

Want to succeed internationally? We think you can! After you join our 3-part workshop series, From Local to Global: Essential Tools to Create a Thriving International Handmade Business, you will believe it too!

On August 13^th, 15^th, and 19^th, join ATA’s Training Director, Lauren Barkume and your peers in discussing how to run an international handmade business, your business’s mission and vision, and signature sales strategies.

After these 3 sessions, you will walk away with a blueprint for success. Register for this FREE workshop HERE today! To make sure you don’t miss anything, you can add these sessions to your calendar by clicking HERE.

Pictured: Booth from Woven Worldwide (a 2023 Canvas Home Small Grants recipient) at Shoppe Object in New York City

What’s Coming in July?

–Canvas Home Small Grants applications will close on July 31^st, so don’t miss your opportunity to apply!

-The Burkina Faso Resilience Through Craft Project comes to a close, marking the successful culmination of efforts to empower local artisans through skill development and community engagement.

-Tradeshow season has begun! Dos Tierras and Exploring Tibetan Handmade will be exhibiting at the Las Vegas Market from July 28^th – August 1^st.

Pictured: Youth in Bobo Dioulasso after receiving their closing ceremony certificates.