The Artist in Business Leadership (ABL) Fellowship is a yearlong initiative designed to support independent Native artists in pursuing their art as a means to establish a sustainable business for themselves and their families. This program offers valuable resources, including network-building opportunities, professional development guidance, and funding to meet business needs.
The ABL Fellowship offers a grant of $10,000 for projects aimed at enriching the contributions of artists or culture bearers to their communities. Applications are encouraged from artists at all career stages. Among the 16 recipients of the ABL Fellowship for 2024 is Alfreda Beartrack-Algeo.
Beartrack-Algeo is a proud enrolled member of the Kul Wicasa Oyate, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, where she was born and grew up. She is both an accomplished artist and a published author, having written eight novels aimed at children and teenagers. Alfreda is actively involved in the National League of American Pen Women and the Oceti Sakowin Writers Society. Her artwork and videography have garnered numerous awards and are showcased in libraries, museums, galleries, and private collections around the globe, including the Aktá Lakota Museum.
Alfreda holds multiple degrees and certifications, including a Master of Arts from the University of South Dakota and a Doctor of Management from the University of Phoenix. Her diverse professional background includes roles at the Centers for Disease Control and the Indian Health Service, as well as teaching and serving on various federal, state, and tribal boards. Alfreda expresses, “I am a multifaceted artist with a passion for creativity and imagination. I enjoy weaving together history, culture, and contemporary themes into narratives that inspire and enlighten.” Beartrack-Algeo is currently engaged in writing, creating art, and managing her gallery in Palisade, Colorado, while maintaining strong connections with her Kul Wicasa family and tribal community.