Willard John performs in the Moko Jumbie tradition. Photo by Steve Simonsen.
Traditional artists are powerful community leaders and changemakers who catalyze social change and connection.
The inaugural Taproot Fellowship offers unprecedented support and recognition for traditional artists and culture bearers across the United States and Territories. This year and the next, a total of 50 artists will each receive a $50,000 unrestricted grant, plus an additional $10,000 to allocate toward projects within their community, totaling a $60,000 investment per artist.
Featured Stories & Fellows
“To be considered for this means that I am continuing the work that those elders entrusted me to do and truly believing in myself the way they believed in me.”
Adrienne Benjamin | Amikogaabawiikwe
Jingle Dress Maker, Cultural Artist /
Chiminising, Misizaagaiganing (Isle, Minnesota)
“I learned this music through my father, uncles, & friends, and being a Taproot artist gives me a sense of assurance that I will be able to continue to foster the legacy I have inherited through my students, community, and the nation.”
Juan Longoria, Jr.
Conjunto Accordionist & Educator /
Los Fresnos, TX
“Being a Taproot artist will provide significant resources and publicity that focuses on my goal of promoting, educating and preserving the art of Moko Jumbie.”
Willard John
Moko Jumbie Stilt Dancer /
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Explore Taproot Fellows
Anwan “Big G” Glover
Go-Go Music Pioneer
Washington D.C.
Dr. Dwayne Tomah
Passamaquoddy Language Keeper
Edmunds, ME
Eva Ybarra
Conjunto Accordionist & Bandleader
San Antonio, TX
Gertie Lopez
Tohono O'odham Waila Musician
Tucson, AZ
Jesus M. Cepeda Brenes
Afro-Puerto Rican Musician & Folklorist
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Jontavious Willis
Blues Musician
Luthersville, GA
Juan Longoria, Jr.
Conjunto Accordionist & Educator
Los Fresnos, TX
King Khazm
Hip Hop Artist
Seattle, WA
Meklit Hadero
Ethio-Jazz Vocalist & Composer
San Francisco, CA
Roy & PJ Hirabayashi
Japanese American Taiko Musicians
San Jose, CA
Sami Abu Shumays
Arab Musician
Queens, New York, NY
Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto
Japanese Koto Musician
Oakland, CA
Empower Artists & Communities: Give Today
A community performance of Japanese taiko. Photo by Mark Shigenaga.
Your tax-deductible donation supports Taproot Fellows through our parent organization, Alliance for California Traditional Arts.