Cherokee Preservation Foundation Grant Provides Opportunities for Professional Artists’ Development

CHEROKEE, NC, October 27, 2008 – Cherokee Preservation Foundation announced it has made a $10,000 grant to Far West Mountain Economic Partners to create an arts and crafts guild for artists in Cherokee, Clay, Graham and Swain Counties and the Qualla Boundary that will improve artists’ business skills and serve as an economic stimulus for the region.

Far West’s mission is to assist in the economic development of Western North Carolina by creating high quality, authentic products that appeal to heritage tourists that visit the region to experience its history and diverse cultures.  With its grant from Cherokee Preservation Foundation, Far West will establish an artisan guild and conduct professional training sessions that improve the quality and marketing of local art.  The classes focus on best business practices for sales outlets, stores, e-commerce and art shows.

Sessions will be held in Andrews on November 10, on the Qualla Boundary on January 19, and in the Snowbird community next April 20.  For more information, contact Pat Moretz at 828-321-2929.

About Cherokee Preservation Foundation

Cherokee Preservation Foundation (www.cpfdn.org) was established on November 14, 2000, as part of the Second Amendment to the Tribal-State Compact between the EBCI and the State of North Carolina. It is an independent nonprofit foundation funded by the EBCI from gaming revenues generated by the Tribe. CPFdn is not part of or associated with any for-profit gaming entity. Since CPFdn’s inception in 2000, it has made 487 grants totaling nearly $40 million to EBCI and regional projects and programs that address cultural preservation, economic development and job creation, and environmental renewal and protection. Every dollar of CPFdn support has been matched by $1.41 in secured grants or other funding or in-kind resources, making CPFdn’s total contribution to the region more than $95 million.

For more information, contact Cherokee Preservation Foundation at 828/497-5550.