Eleven of Alaska’s collecting institutions, in seven communities from Ketchikan to Fairbanks, have been awarded $125,340 in grants. The awards will support the acquisition of artwork and collections care projects through two separate funds. The funds were created by Rasmuson Foundation and they are administered by Museums Alaska.
The Art Acquisition Fund invites museums and culture centers to submit proposals to purchase recent works by contemporary Alaskan artists. Now in its sixteenth year, this initiative has helped institutions across Alaska enhance their collections, interpret contemporary themes, and support hundreds of visual artists. This fall, eight museums received a total of $86,975 in grants to purchase 29 pieces of artwork from 18 Alaskan artists—including paintings, carvings, photographs, multi-media works, and sculpture.
This year, the Art Acquisition Fund allowed applicants to propose commissioned works. The Kodiak Historical Society and the Sealaska Heritage Institute are the first organizations to successfully receive grant support for commissioned works. The Kodiak Historical Society and will collaborate with Alutiiq mask maker Perry Eaton on an outdoor installation, and Sealaska Heritage Institute will work with Tlingit artist Nathan Jackson who will create a carved and painted wood hat.
Established in 2013, the Collections Management Fund supports projects that advance the preservation of museum collections with awards of up to $15,000. The fund provides critical support for the care of objects documenting Alaska’s cultural and natural heritage. In November, Museums Alaska selected five institutions to receive a total of $38,322 in grants. The funded projects include caring for raptor specimens, conserving gut skin artifacts, digitizing media collections, completing diorama maintenance, and modernizing HVAC controls.
Both funds will offer additional grants in 2019. For eligibility information, application deadlines, and submission directions, please visit the Museums Alaska website Grants page.
Museums Alaska is a statewide professional organization supporting Alaska’s collecting institutions and their staff members and volunteers. The non-profit organization supports the improvement of museum services and promotes public awareness of the value of the state’s museums and culture centers. A nine-member volunteer board governs Museums Alaska with funding from memberships, grants, gifts, and sales.
ART ACQUISITION FUND GRANT AWARDS 2018
Alaska Aviation Museum
Janine Gibbons A set of six paintings: Jorgy Jorgensen, Bill English, Ellen Evak Paneok, Herman Nicolet, Wilfred Ryan and Todd’s Air Service: Ed and Helen Todd $7,800
Alutiiq Museum & Archaeological Repository
Cheryl Lacy Misty Morning $1,000
Anchorage Museum Association
Sonya Kelliher-Combs Red Curl $12,000
Alanna DeRocchi Stay A Float, Animals as Object $4,000
Polar Bear, Objects for Contemplating Impermanence $2,225
Amber Webb White Qaspeq $5,000
Hammer Museum
Tresham Gregg Eagle Hammer $800
Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center
Jim Heaton Carved Eagle Shakee.at and Bear Paw Dance Rattle $8,000
Kodiak Historical Society
Carol Lambert Basket Not For Sale $600
Perry Eaton Island Song $24,000
Sealaska Heritage Institute
Nathan Jackson Raven Hat $10,000
Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center, Inc.
Donna Catotti Blues Harp and Paradise Cove—Remnants of the Past $1,550
Lindsay Johnson Still Ocean Bright $300
Debi Knight Kennedy Love and Justice $5,000
Beverly Schupp Chilkat River Valley Winter and Jack Strong at the Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center $2,200
Katie Craney Forgotten Places $700
Megan Morehouse Salmon Tree $500
Andrea Nelson Chilkat Sampler $750
Joe Ordóñez Moon Over the Headwaters and Cathedral Peaks $550
COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT FUND GRANT AWARDS 2018
Alutiiq Museum & Archaeological Repository—$14,981 for HVAC Repair
American Bald Eagle Foundation—$1,910.21 for Raptor Collection Protection
Ketchikan Museums—$9,881.25 for Digitizing Media Project
Kodiak Historical Society—$1,350.00 for Conservation and Education of Seal Intestine Windows
Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center—$10,200.00 for Diorama Maintenance & Training
