New Cherokee Nation loan helps Native artists

By CN Communications

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Aspiring Cherokee artist and Oklahoma native Ryan Smith knows a little something about determination and drive. He was working on his master’s degree at the University of New Orleans’ Fine Arts program when Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.

Although he walked away a survivor, he decided to come back to Tahlequah, where he is currently a community works supervisor for the Cherokee Nation.

With a dream of starting his own art business never far from his mind, Smith visited the tribe’s Commerce Group’s Small Business Assistance Center in hopes of receiving a business loan.

With the idea of asking for a loan daunting, he knew if he never took the chance to ask someone to invest in him he would never be able to achieve his dream of becoming a professional artist. Much to his surprise, he stumbled across a new Commerce Group initiative known as the Artist Loan Program.

“I could not be happier or more grateful that the Cherokee Nation has shown their support through this loan,” said Smith. “Eventually, I would love to transition this endeavor into a full-time business.”

Specifically designed to help Native American artists purchase necessary materials and equipment to get an art business going, the loan program offers a chance for artists to eliminate barriers in creating and marketing art. The loan can also be used as a marketing tool to enter art fairs, festivals, juried competitions and fine art galleries where the artist’s work can be displayed and purchased.

After receiving his loan, Smith attended his first art show and enjoyed great success, thanks to some thoughtful marketing. Smith said he noticed that in the current economy art consumers seemed to be looking for more affordable pieces and decided to try to market prints of his work instead of just original paintings and drawings. Because prints of an original piece of art are less costly than the original itself, Smith used some of his loan to have prints made and brought several of his prints to showcase. He sold nearly every piece he brought with him.

Now, in only two month’s time, Smith has attended several art events and has gained the confidence of knowing that people really enjoy his art and look forward to seeing his work.

“The goal of the program is to initially loan small amounts to artists to purchase materials, enter shows, and so on, so that after they sell their work, they will be able to make payments,” Donna Tinnin of the Small Business Assistance Center, said. “At this point we have no set guidelines, and the terms of the loan will vary from artist to artist, as each is unique,”

Smith approached the loan process with a strategic business plan that included the production, promotion and marketing of his art work. This kind of preparation is appealing when asking someone to invest in you and your plan to succeed, said Tinnin.