Cherokee Nation News Release (918) 453-5378 FAX (918) 458-6181 Cherokee Nation Director of Communications@cherokee.org © Cherokee Nation - All Rights Reserved November 10, 2009

Newly Developed Loan Program Helps Native Artists

Cherokee Nation citizen Ryan Smith stands with his most recent piece of art, on display at the Cherokee Artists Association gallery in Tahlequah, along with several of his other works.

Aspiring Cherokee artist, Ryan Smith, an Oklahoma native who was two years into the Master of Fine Arts Program at the University of New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina struck, knows a little something about determination and drive. After he walked away from New Orleans as a  Katrina survivor, he decided to come back to Tahlequah to settle, where he is currently a community works supervisor for the Cherokee Nation.
           With his dream of starting his own art business never far from his mind, Smith visited the Cherokee Nation Commerce Group’s Small Business Assistance Center in hopes of receiving a small business loan. Although the idea of asking for a loan was 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 newly developed Commerce 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 such as Smith purchase the necessary materials and equipment to get an art business going, the loan program offers a chance for artists to eliminate barriers to creating and marketing their art. Besides supplies and equipment, 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 from Cherokee Nation, Smith attended his first art show and enjoyed great success, thanks to some thoughtful marketing. Smith 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 in the future. 
          “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,”  said Donna Tinnin of the Cherokee Nation Small Business Assistance Center. “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, noted Tinnin.
          To view and learn more about Ryan Smith and his art please visit www.ryanleesmithart.com.
          For more information about the Cherokee Nation’s Artist Loan Program, please call Donna Tinnin at (918) 453-5728 or email donna-tinnin@cherokee.org.