By A Concerned Artisan
I write in support of Senator Corina Magofna’s concerns regarding delayed payments to artists and cultural practitioners by the Commonwealth Council for Arts & Culture. As someone who has participated in cultural programs and worked alongside fellow artisans in our community, I can say with confidence that the issue raised in your recent article is not a new one.
In fact, this problem extends far beyond a matter of months or even years. For many in the CNMI arts community, delayed compensation has been a recurring concern for as long as we can remember—perhaps even decades. That reality alone should give all of us pause.
At its core, this issue is not simply about money. It is about fairness, accountability, and respect.
Many artists do not enter this field expecting to become wealthy. We create because we are passionate about our culture, our traditions, and our responsibility to pass on knowledge to future generations. We volunteer countless hours, participate in community events, mentor younger artists, and represent our islands with pride whenever called upon to do so.
However, when artists are approached by the Commonwealth’s designated clearinghouse for arts and culture and are asked to provide a service—whether it is a demonstration, workshop, performance, consultation, or cultural presentation—with the understanding that compensation will be provided, there should be a reasonable expectation that such compensation will be delivered on time.
When that does not happen, the issue becomes one of trust.
What is particularly troubling is that this concern is not being raised for the first time. During a meeting with the CCAC Board last year, artists openly voiced frustrations regarding delayed payments and related administrative issues. To see the same concerns resurfacing again today suggests that the underlying problems have yet to be adequately addressed.
To be fair, many of us understand that some of the funding sources used by CCAC come through grants. We recognize that grant administration can be complicated and that processing timelines may be affected by agencies located thousands of miles away from the CNMI. We understand that paperwork, reporting requirements, approvals, and reimbursement processes do not always move quickly.
But we also know from experience that grant funding alone does not automatically result in delayed compensation. Many artists, myself included, have participated in grant-funded programs administered by other government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions. In those instances, payments were processed professionally, communication was maintained, and participants were compensated in full and within a reasonable timeframe.
That is why many artists continue to ask questions.
Another source of frustration is communication—or the lack thereof.
Too often, artists report difficulty obtaining updates regarding pending payments. Phone calls go unanswered. Emails receive no response. Follow-up inquiries are met with silence. Even when there may be legitimate reasons for delays, a lack of communication creates uncertainty and undermines confidence.
Artists should not have to repeatedly chase down information about compensation that has already been promised. Beyond payment issues, there is also a broader concern shared by many within the arts community: the feeling that artists often have to fight simply to be recognized for their efforts, even when compensation is not involved.
Many of us have watched opportunities arise through events such as the Flame Tree Arts Festival, the Guam Micronesia Island Fair, and the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture. While these events are intended to celebrate our cultures and showcase local talent, there remains a perception among some artists that participation opportunities are not always distributed equitably.
Some artists feel they are not only excluded from participating but are sometimes not even informed of opportunities or provided a fair chance to apply. Similar concerns have been raised regarding recent FestPAC-related activities.
Whether those perceptions are justified or not, they deserve to be acknowledged and addressed because transparency matters.
When artists already feel overlooked, being promised compensation and then left waiting indefinitely only deepens the frustration. As we often say locally, it can leave artists feeling “fagaga’d”—strung along, misled, or taken advantage of after fulfilling their end of the agreement.
That feeling carries consequences.
It causes some artists to question whether they should continue volunteering their time. It discourages participation in future programs. It makes people wonder why they should continue sharing cultural knowledge when the very institution charged with preserving and promoting our islands’ artistic heritage appears unable to honor its commitments.
Let me be clear: this letter is not intended as a rebuke of CCAC, its leadership, its board, or its staff.
I recognize that many dedicated individuals within the organization genuinely care about preserving and promoting the cultures of the CNMI. I also recognize that government agencies often face operational challenges that may not be immediately visible to the public.
But accountability and transparency are not attacks. They are responsibilities.
That is why I support Senator Magofna’s call for answers.
If an oversight hearing is necessary, then so be it.
Let the facts be placed on the record.
If CCAC has been diligently pursuing payments in good faith, then let documentation be provided showing the steps taken and where delays are occurring. If the issue lies with grant administration, let that be explained. If the problem exists somewhere between CCAC and the Department of Finance, then invite the appropriate officials to explain the process and identify where bottlenecks occur.
The public deserves to know whether these delays are procedural, administrative, funding-related, or indicative of larger systemic issues.
Most importantly, artists deserve answers.
Our Chamorro and Carolinian cultures teach us the values of reciprocity, respect, responsibility, and community service. Those values must apply not only to artists but also to the institutions that rely upon their knowledge and talents.
The men and women who preserve traditional crafts, perform cultural dances, teach language, create visual art, and share ancestral knowledge have spent years—often lifetimes—developing those skills. They do so not for recognition alone, but because they care deeply about the future of our islands.
They deserve honesty. They deserve accountability. They deserve fairness. And if it takes a kulu being blown to bring attention to this issue, then let its sound be heard from one end of the Marianas to the other.
Because at the end of the day, artists are not asking for special treatment. We are simply asking that promises be kept, concerns be addressed, and those who contribute to preserving our culture be treated with the respect they have earned.
That is not an unreasonable request. It is the very foundation of trust.
Editor’s note: The views and opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NMI News Service or its staff. All assertions are the sole responsibility of the writer. To submit an op-ed for consideration, email your piece to brad.ruszala@nminewsservice.com.