White Snake Projects has launched its Indigenous Directory for Musical Storytelling.

The searchable online platform is designed to amplify the visibility of Native American arts professionals, connect them with opportunities, and help the entire performing arts ecosystem thrive. This free and accessible resource is open to all arts workers, organizations, and businesses. Members can create and manage personalized profiles that showcase their work, including bios, images, and videos.

Similarly, the Directory will enable arts organizations identify potential collaborators and clients, fostering growth across the entire sector. By providing those without personal websites an opportunity to build an online presence, the Indigenous Directory for Musical Storytelling reduces economic barriers to participating in the creative economy.

Current members within the opera community include conductor and composer Danielle Jagelski, sopranos Jacquelyn Deshchidn and Kirsten C. Kunkle, mezzo-sopranos Rhonda Head and Marion Newman, and baritone Mark Billy, among others.

The launch of the Indigenous Directory for Musical Storytelling is a major milestone for White Snake Project’s mission-driven work that unites artmaking with civic practice. Founding Artistic Director, Cerise Lim Jacobs said in a press release, “Indigenous music and stories have been long overlooked or exoticized in ‘mainstream’ performing arts because of the white gaze. The Indigenous Directory for Musical Storytelling seeks to return control of their stories to Native Americans. Through this database of Indigenous opera/music/dance/theatre resources, we hope to remove the barriers of unfamiliarity and catalyze new Indigenous repertoire. I am excited for arts organizations to leverage this platform to forge new partnerships with historically underrepresented artists and organizations.”

The Directory of Indigenous Performing Artists is made possible, in part by, leadership support from the Mellon Foundation, North American Indian Center of Boston, and Opera America. The Directory was funded by a Civic Practice grant from Opera America.

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