At our statewide conference, we announce awardees in our field — all of whom have been nominated by colleagues and museum staff.
Nominations open in August before our conference. Save the date and remember to recognize the colleagues, museums, volunteers, and donors that go above and beyond for your museum and our field.
Nominations may be made for exceptional exhibits, collections care, planning, marketing, publications, significant improvements to physical plant, conservation, etc.
Award: Museums receive a plaque. Individuals receive an award created by an Alaskan artist.
Nominations acknowledge the crucial roles volunteers perform in our museum and cultural center communities. Help us celebrate their importance to our success by nominating any volunteer, whether docent, a community supporter, or a member of your Board of Directors.
Award: An award created by an Alaskan artist.
Nominations recognize any donor, advocator, or contributor for outstanding support of museums and cultural centers in Alaska, in funding, advocacy, or other “above and beyond” support for a museum, cultural center, or the field. Nominations may be for individuals, foundations, corporations, cities, or other supporting entities.
Award: An award created by an Alaskan artist.
Nominations recognize the contributions of an individual over a career. Help us celebrate their contributions by nominating an individual who is departing the field, from all sectors of the field.
Award: Varies.
The Midnight Sun Award is an optional award that may be awarded for extraordinary achievements. It will be awarded the discretion of the awards committee based on the nominations of the above awards. If the committee feels that multiple nominees are deserving of one of the above awards, they may choose to award a Midnight Sun award to one of the year’s nominees.
Award: An award created by an Alaskan artist.
Showing 1–17 of 17 awardees.
The Award for Excellence in the Field was presented to Alexandra Painter, Exhibits Manager at the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository in Kodiak. For the past four years, Painter has led the development of the Alutiiq Museum’s new 2,000-square-foot exhibit hall and the Canasqat—Things That…
Read more about Alex Painter
The Award in Honor of Lifetime Achievement was presented to Amy Steffian, Chief Curator Emerita of the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository. Steffian has dedicated her career to the study, preservation, and interpretation of Alutiiq/Sugpiaq history and culture in the Kodiak region since 1984. As…
Read more about Amy Steffian
The Midnight Sun Award, a special recognition presented when multiple nominees demonstrate exceptional contributions to the field, was awarded to Mike Monterusso, previous Executive Director of the Alaska Botanical Garden. Monterusso dedicated 14 years to the Alaska Botanical Garden, including eight years as Executive Director,…
Read more about Mike Monterusso
Mana: The History We Inherit is a groundbreaking exhibit enriching our knowledge of Alaska’s heritage and history. The exhibit has a profound effect on Alaska’s cultural landscape, particularly how it reshapes the narrative around Filipino American history in the state. By illuminating stories seldom shared…
Read more about "Mana: The History We Inherit" Exhibition Team
This year, the Outstanding Volunteer award went to Diana Wasson, a board member and volunteer of the Eagle Historical Society and Museum (EHS&M). Diana has been assisting EHS&M on a multi-year project to preserve and restore the St. Paul’s Mission church in Eagle. As part…
Read more about Diana Wasson
This year’s Museum Champion award went to Ron Inouye of Fairbanks, Alaska. Ron has volunteered on the board of the Friends of the University of Alaska Museum of the North (UAMN) every year since 1991, serving as the Friends of UAMN president since 2012. Ron’s…
Read more about Ron InouyeWe have a new award this year. We received several nominations for the Lifetime Achievement Award and both were extremely worthy. Our next awardee is still very active in the field, so we have decided to award her our Midnight Sun Award! The Midnight Sun Award is an award that may…
Read more about CJ Jones
This year's awardee is Faith Revell, Curator of Education and Public Programs, Valdez Museum and Historical Archive! Patty Relay presented the award: "In 2011, I hired Faith Revell as the Valdez Museum & Historical Archives first Curator of Education & Public Programs. Since that time, Faith has embraced the role…
Read more about Faith Revell
Our Lifetime Achievement awardee is Sue Deyoe, former executive director of Talkeetna Historical Society! Christine Carpenter presented the award: "When Sue was hired by the Talkeetna Historical Society, the museum was on the verge of folding. With Sue's guidance and vision, not to mention tenacity and passion, she has brought the…
Read more about Sue Deyoe
The President's Award for Lifetime Achievement, went to June Simeonoff Pardue, an Alutiiq and Inupiaq Master artist born in Old Harbor. She has worked with museums across the state and country, and her Alutiiq basketry, grass woven socks and beadwork can be viewed at the…
Read more about June Simeonoff Pardue
Over the past few years, the Kodiak History Museum has been undergoing major changes and improvements—from their renovation and name change several years ago to beginning the process to digitize their entire collection. They have also created a social justice exhibition model to develop more…
Read more about Kodiak History MuseumThis award went to a very familiar face in Haines—Michael Marks. According to every cultural center in Haines, Michael Marks is one of their best volunteers. Michael gained his appreciation for arts and cultural organizations growing up in New York City. Later in life, he…
Read more about Michael MarksThis year’s Museum Champion award went to Randall Lamb and Carvel Glenn—two amazing supporters from Texas who visited Alaska on a cruise. When they stopped in Sitka, they were so inspired by their visit to the Sheldon Jackson Museum that they not only gave several…
Read more about Randall Lamb and Carvel Glenn
Dawn Biddison is a Museum Specialist at the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center based at the Anchorage Museum. Dawn Biddison has been instrumental in the Material Traditions programs continuing success. She works extensively with the artists and community to organize, conduct and video-document the material gathering…
Read more about Dawn Biddison
Raised in Kodiak, Clark was a leader in studying the archipelago’s history. He was locally known as the “father of Kodiak archaeology”. In a final act of generosity, Clark left a total of $2.45 million dollars to the Kodiak History Museum and the Alutiiq Museum…
Read more about Dr. Donald W. Clark
Elaine Kingeekuk has been sharing her knowledge about skin sewing with students, artists, and museums for over 30 years. Ms. Kingeekuk was born and raised in Savoonga and comes from a long line of St. Lawrence Island Yupik artists. Through her commitment to passing on…
Read more about Elaine Kingeekuk
It is rare to find someone who understands the importance of the daily maintenance associated with caring for a National Historic Landmark. From putting up storm windows to moving furniture and taking out recycling, Paul has contributed over 40 hours of volunteering with the Kodiak…
Read more about Paul Gill