Kessler Keener Foundation

10/01/2026

09/17/2026

09/08/2026

This is a great privilege to present the MAPP workshop
Sept 14 - 17

Big news!
We’re bringing our flagship writing program to Owyhee Combined School on the Duck Valley Reservation for the very first time. After more than a decade of sharing talkbacks, performances, and mini workshops with students, we’re thrilled to take this next step with Lynn Manning John and the Shoshone-Paiute community.
Huge thanks to cofounder Myra Donnelley, local artist Jen Potcher, and master artist Joe Seely from Los Angeles for joining us. We couldn’t be prouder! Thank you to Ellen Bush and Ed Keener for providing support to grow the Mentor Artists MAPP Program! Ellen Bush Kessler Keener Foundation Martha Grace Keener Jen Potcher Joe Seely Eric D. Ellis Sheila Ann Carnessa Lynn

07/17/2026

Join us on September 27th at 5 PM for an evening of celebrations, education, and fundraising to support our programs through 2027.
Enjoy a live musical performance from indigenous musicians and help yourself to food and beverage while learning about the various programs sponsored by The Kessler Keener Foundation. We will be auctioning off donated native-made jewelry and artwork to support our programs.
Please RSVP by sending us a DM. If you're interested in volunteering, send an email to [email protected]

07/03/2026

What an amazing day we had with the Original Boise Valley People! On June 19th we had the amazing opportunity to give Land Back to the tribal peoples who once lived in the Boise Valley before being evicted in 1869. As Trustees we are pleased to return the 2.8 acres on N. 39th Street, near 36th Street and Hill Road, to the Original Boise Valley People, LLC. OBVP is a non-profit organization, that represents the original Shoshone, Paiute and Bannock people who were relocated from their homelands of the Boise Valley to the Burns Paiute Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation, the Duck Valley Indian Reservation, the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, and the Fort McDermitt Reservation.

This is only possible after years of work, friendship building, committing to a long term relationship with tribal people, conversations, and working together on Native projects and programs. Edwin Keener may be the most visible person in these efforts but there are many, many Native and non-Native folks involved over 20 years.
Thank you all for an amazing day.

04/30/2026

Professional actor readings of student writer plays, culminating a week of writing.

04/30/2026

The Playwrights' Project leads students as well as their adult mentors through a series of creative writing exercises which become a one act two character play using metaphor and imagination of the student writer. The student's play is then read by professional actors in a community reading. All who participate celebrate the student whose plan is read.
Join the MAPP program from June 8th - 12th 2026.