The Alaska Art Fund (AAF)—previously known as the Art Acquisition Fund—was established in 2002 and began in 2003. The grant program was created by Rasmuson Foundation and is managed by Museums Alaska along with the Collections Management Fund.
The purpose of the AAF is to encourage museums in Alaska to collect the work of living Alaska artists for their collections. In 2022, the program was expanded to allow organizations to commission outdoor art, like sculptures and murals, as well as make more traditional art purchases for their collections. Applicants are required to be 501(c)(3) nonprofit, government, tribal entities or equivalent organizations that hold collections in the public trust, such as a museum or cultural center.
Small, rural-based organizations are encouraged to apply. The AAF has not only made possible the enrichment of the state’s museum and cultural center collections, but the funds also have gone directly to Alaska artists encouraging them to continue their work in Alaska.
Institutional membership in Museums Alaska is encouraged but not required. If your institution is not a member, click here to join and help us continue to develop programs that benefit the Alaska museum community and the cultural sector.
2023 Dates:
1st Cycle
- Open - February 1, 2023
- Draft Review Deadline: March 1, 2023
- Close - March 17, 2023
Rolling Deadline for Time Sensitive Purchases
If you would like to purchase an artwork that the artist is unable to hold until the next AAF cycle, please apply to the rolling deadline.
- Open - June 1, 2023
- Draft Review Deadline: September 29, 2023
- Close - August 11, 2023
2nd Cycle
- Open - September 1, 2023
- Draft Review Deadline: September 29, 2023
- Close - October 13, 2023
Please contact us if you have any questions about the program.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS & LINKS:
APPLICATION
To apply, click the button below to go to our grant application website. Grant application deadlines can be found in the Application Guidelines document linked above.
We have an optional grant review for those who would like help strengthening their application. To submit your application for optional grant review, fill out your application on the grant application website and choose the appropriate submit button at the end.
Note: This is an external website (museumsalaska.gosmart.org), where you will be required to create a user login (this is separate from any member login you may have at museumsalaska.org).
Grant Application Website