The American Indian Arts and Crafts Board Act of 1990 was a major milestone in protecting and promoting Native American art. This Act was the first federal law to recognize the unique artistic and cultural nature of Native American art and crafts. The Act defined the term Indian Arts and Crafts by recognizing the unique and distinct craftsmanship of Native Americans and their contributions to the culture of the United States (Petoskey 137). The reason is that the Act established better understanding and appreciation of American Indian art by preserving the traditional native artworks, expanding the market through international exposure, creating vibrant art agencies, expanding the art market, and promoting inter-tribal collaboration.
The Act gave Indian tribes the authority to protect their traditional artworks and to ensure that they are not misrepresented by ensuring that the traditional meaning of each piece of art is retained when translated. The Act helped establish the Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB) to promote and market Indian arts and crafts (Roberts 1). The Board is responsible for enforcing the Act and cooperates with state and tribal governments and Indian organizations in advancement programs available to protect the industry. The policy also established the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990, which provides civil and criminal penalties for anyone who falsely represents Indian arts and crafts as Indian-made (Petoskey 117). This regulation protects Indian artists from exploitation and unauthorized use of their work or plagiarism.
The Act also provides for grants to be given to Indian tribes for the promotion and preservation of their traditional art forms. The grants are used to support the education and training of Indian artists and the development of Indian-made products (Khan 1). The American Indian Arts and Crafts Board Act of 1990 profoundly affected Native American art by promoting new rules to protect the heritage of this genre of art (Khan 1). The Act was passed as part of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and was designed to protect and promote the production of authentic Indian arts and crafts.
The regulation protects the rights of Native American artists, who are often faced with the threat of imitation of arts and crafts made by non-Native people. The Act also seeks to stop the mislabeling of Native American arts and crafts as authentic when they are not. The Act requires that all arts and crafts marketed as “Indian produced” must meet certain criteria to be considered authentic (Roberts 1). This rule includes that the artist must be an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe or an individual certified by a tribe as an Indian artisan (Petoskey 137). The product must be made under traditional tribal arts and crafts. The Act also requires that all products labeled as “Indian produced” must have a label that states the product’s tribal affiliation, the name of the Indian artist, and the date of production.
The legislation has significantly affected the Native American art industry, providing it with much-needed protection from counterfeit products. It also helps to ensure that the sales of authentic Native American art and crafts benefit the Native American artists who create them (Roberts 1). The Act established a Board of Indian Arts and Crafts that oversees the production and sale of all Native American art and crafts. It requires that all products be labeled with the artist’s name and a certification of authenticity (Roberts 1). This requirement helps protect the artist’s rights and ensures that buyers get only authentic products. The Board also sets standards for producing and selling Native American art and crafts. These standards help to ensure that Native American art and crafts are produced with the highest quality and craftsmanship (Shabalala). The Board has also established a system of grants that help to support Native American art and craft organizations. These grants help fund campaigns and’ educational program initiatives, which help promote and spread awareness of Native American art and culture. The Act also provides for the protection of artists’ copyrights (Roberts 1). This provision ensures artists are compensated for their work and that their designs are not copied or used without permission to maintain motivation and originality.
In addition, the statute has helped to create a market for Native American art and crafts. The Board has established a list of approved vendors allowed to sell Native American art and crafts. This strategy helps to ensure that only authentic and genuine Native American art is sold (Shabalala). Additionally, it helps to protect the rights of the artists and craftspeople by ensuring that they receive the appropriate financial compensation for their work (Shabalala). The Act has also created a system of certification and registration which allows Native American art and crafts to be identified and authenticated, thus ensuring that the work is genuine. This system also helps to eliminate the sale of counterfeit Native American art and crafts.
The Act has also helped to expand the market for Native American art and crafts. It has allowed art galleries and other venues to display and sell Native American art and crafts. This requirement has allowed Native American artists to reach a wider audience and showcase their work to more potential buyers (Shabalala). Additionally, the Board has helped to promote and cultivate the appreciation of Native American art and crafts. Through its efforts, the Board has encouraged the public to recognize the beauty and cultural significance of Native American art and crafts.
The American Indian Arts and Crafts Board Act (1990) have provided a platform for Native American artists and craftspeople to share their work and gain recognition in the art community. The Board has hosted numerous exhibitions and events that have showcased the work of Native American artists and craftspeople (Petoskey 137). This rule has provided an important platform for recognizing, appreciating, and celebrating Native American arts and crafts.
The American Indian Arts and Crafts Board Act of 1990 was a landmark piece of legislation that helped to protect the authenticity and integrity of American Indian arts and crafts. By establishing the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, the Act created an agency under the Department of Interior to promote and protect the economic welfare of Indian artisans. It also penalized individuals who attempted to represent copied work as authentic Indian-produced art or craft falsely. This Act also allowed the Board to develop educational programs and create standards for certification of Indian-produced art and craft. These programs have helped to protect Native American artisans from deceptive practices and preserve their cultural heritage.
Works Cited
Petoskey, John Minode’E. “International Traditional Knowledge Protection and Indigenous Self Determination.” Indigenous Peoples’ JL Culture & Resistance vol. 6, 2020, p. 117. Web.
Roberts, Jessica. “The flourishing race: how the success of American Indian artist-entrepreneurs underscores the need for enhanced legal protections for native intellectual property.” American Indian Law Journal 8.1 (2019): 1. Web.
Khan, Farhat Basir. “Can the Arts and Crafts Sector in India be Sustainable: A Grounded Theory Approach to Mapping Challenges and Proposing Solutions.” International Journal of Global Business and Competitiveness (2022): 1-10. Web.
Shabalala, Dalindyebo Bafana. “Intellectual Property, Traditional Knowledge, and Traditional Cultural Expressions in Native American Tribal Codes.” Akron L. Rev. 51 (2017): 1125. Web.