Our programs.
Five ways we fund makers, train the next generation, and keep authentic craft alive in the Southwest.
Every program the Co-Op runs is a response to a real gap: students who can't afford to finish their training, silversmiths who can't access markets at scale, collectors who can't tell authentic from fake, and a public that deserves to watch the craft happen in front of them. These are those programs.
KITA Scholarship
Keeping Indigenous Traditions Alive. KITA funds Native and Indigenous students learning silversmithing and the traditional arts of the Southwest — covering tuition, tools, materials, transportation, and lodging. The things scholarships often forget.
Learn more →The T.Skies Bridge Program
Independent silversmiths want to reach brand-scale buyers — but compliance audit stacks block the path. T.Skies absorbs the regulatory burden so artists can produce at scale without losing creative control or cultural integrity.
Learn more →T.Skies Internships
Paid, real work in a working studio — for school credit. CNM Bench Jewelry students and Albuquerque high schoolers, particularly from Indigenous communities, learn by doing alongside silversmiths who have spent decades at the bench.
Learn more →Live Shows On Hold
Facebook Live Shows putting Native silversmiths in direct conversation with collectors — teaching authenticity, cultural context, and quality recognition in real time. Currently paused for a building remodel; returning soon.
Learn more →Craft & Cast
Make your own piece by hand. Carve in wax, cast in real silver, bronze, or 14k gold using the ancient lost-wax method, take home a one-of-a-kind piece. 2-hour guided session, no experience needed, $75 per person.
Learn more →How these programs are funded
The Co-Op runs lean — most of our budget goes directly to scholars and interns. Donations from the public and 5% of T.Skies' Signature Collection sales fund the work. Every dollar you give is tax-deductible (we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit) and goes back into KITA scholarships, internship pay, studio operations, and Silversmith Directory research.
Donate to support these programs →