American Indian College Fund Launches Native Arts Scholarship

The new four-year memorial scholarship honors the legacy of John Gritts.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:39pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a traditional Native American pottery vessel repeated in a grid pattern, using vibrant neon colors and heavy black outlines to create a modern pop art aesthetic.The new John Gritts Native Arts Memorial Scholarship aims to support the next generation of Indigenous artists and preserve traditional cultural practices.Denver Today

The American Indian College Fund has established the John Gritts Native Arts Memorial Scholarship to honor Gritts' lifetime advocacy for the education of Native American students. The scholarship, supported by Gritts' wife Page Lambert, will provide four years of funding for a student attending an accredited tribal college or university to study Native arts.

Why it matters

The scholarship aims to continue Gritts' work in supporting Native American students and preserving traditional arts and culture. It comes at a time when tribal colleges and universities play a vital role in providing accessible higher education opportunities for Indigenous communities.

The details

The John Gritts Native Arts Memorial Scholarship will cover tuition, fees, books, and other educational expenses for a student pursuing a degree in Native arts at an accredited tribal college or university. The scholarship was established with the support of Gritts' wife, Page Lambert, to honor his lifelong dedication to Native student success and the preservation of traditional artistic practices.

  • The American Indian College Fund announced the new scholarship on April 9, 2026.

The players

American Indian College Fund

A national nonprofit organization that provides scholarships and programming to support the education of Native American students.

John Gritts

A longtime advocate for Native American education who worked in student services and financial aid at Black Hills State University.

Page Lambert

The wife of John Gritts, who supported the establishment of the memorial scholarship in his honor.

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What they’re saying

“Having started my career at Black Hills State in the student services and financial aid field, you can't help but know and see what students need,”

— John Gritts

The takeaway

The John Gritts Native Arts Memorial Scholarship represents an important investment in the future of Native American art and culture, providing educational opportunities for the next generation of Indigenous artists and preserving traditional practices.