The Forge Project, an initiative dedicated to decolonial arts and Indigenous culture, has announced its official transition to nonprofit status and its launch of a new organizational structure. Under the guidance of executive director Candice Hopkins of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, the project has enlisted a group of prominent Indigenous artists and leaders, including Jeffrey Gibson (who is representing the United States in the 60th Venice Biennale), to form its new Indigenous Steering Council (ISC).
The ISC will consist of seven distinguished members from various nations, including chair Kerry Swanson (Michipicoten First Nation) and vice-chair Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk and Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians). Other members include Monique Tyndall (Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans), G. Peter Jemison (Seneca Nation), Jasmine Neosh (Menominee), and Jolene Rickard (Tuscarora Nation). This group will drive the organization’s mission to amplify Indigenous voices in national conversations about art and culture.
“In bringing together the Indigenous Steering Council, we sought to represent a plurality of Native voices whose work intersects with Forge’s mandate and initiatives as they provide high-level leadership and vision for the organization,” Hopkins told Artsy. “As Forge continues to create new platforms and infrastructure for supporting Native artists, it made sense to work with artists who are already engaged with Forge to participate in our new governance structure, including Sky Hopinka, Jeffrey Gibson, and G. Peter Jemison.”
Forge Project operates from a 60-acre campus in the Mahicannituck (Hudson River) Valley, on land historically belonging to the Moh-He-Con-Nuck people. Founded in 2021 by Becky Gochman and Zach Feuer, the organization supports approximately 300 Indigenous artists, working to cultivate their careers and audiences.
