Creative Alaska: A Ten-Year Retrospective of Support

Alaska has long been a nurturing home for artists, with its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural life, and unique communities. In recent years, artists in Alaska have had an additional source of support: the awarding of annual grants to craftsmen, musicians, performers, visual artists, and writers by the Rasmuson Foundation. Creative Alaska profiles the award winners from 2004 to 2013 in three categories: Distinguished Artists, Fellowships, and Project Awards. Richly illustrated accounts of each of the artists and their work illuminate the challenges and opportunities of the artistic life in Alaska and the powerful impact of the Rasmuson Foundation’s support. Creative Alaska profiles the award winners from 2004 to 2013 in three categories Distinguished Artists, Fellowships, and Project Awards. The book introduces each artist and shares their activities. Individually, these vignettes show the diversity of Alaskan artists, their mediums, inspirations, and perspectives. Together the summaries illustrate the challenges and opportunities of a creative life in Alaska and the deep impact of foundation support for artistic practice. Developed with assistance from two hundred and seventy seven artists, the book features artist s statements with images and excerpts of recent works. Sven Haakanson Jr. is the curator of Native American anthropology at the University of Washington s Burke Museum. Amy Steffian is the director of research and publication at the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository in Kodiak, Alaska