Ten of Alaska’s collecting institutions, in seven communities from Sitka to Fairbanks, have been awarded $102,220 in grants. The awards will support the acquisition of artwork through a fund created by Rasmuson Foundation and 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 seventeenth year, this initiative has helped institutions across Alaska enhance their collections, interpret contemporary themes, and support hundreds of visual artists. This fall, ten museums received a total of $102,220 to purchase 20 pieces of artwork from 15 Alaskan artists—including works in media of acrylic, oil, mixed media, carving, fabric, beadwork, spruce root, elk hide, and walrus ivory.
This round, a commission of 10 oil paintings was funded. The Alaska Aviation Museum will purchase the portraits made by Christine Smith depicting animals significant to Alaskan aviation history.
The fund will offer additional grants in 2020. For eligibility information, application deadlines, and submission directions, please visit the Museums Alaska website.
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 AWARDS NOVEMBER 2019
Alaska Aviation Museum
Christine Smith Nome and Back Again $1,200
A commission of ten oil paintings $5,000
John Hume Black Wolf Squadron $4,200
Alaska State Museum
Amy Meissner Materfamilias $8,000
Alutiiq Museum & Archaeological Repository
Andrew Abyo Sugpiaq Angyaq model $4,500
Mary Jane Longrich Nootka Rose $500
Melinda Abyo Woman’s Headdress $5,000
Patricia Abston Cox Emerald Isle Headdress $1,700
Woody Koning Sound of Fog $1,225
Anchorage Museum
Amy Meissner Fatigue Threshold $7,000
Rachel Mulvihill Dream House $650
Rachel Mulvihill Southern Exposure $650
Ilanka Cultural Center
Sylvia Lange Raven Catching Some Rays $500
Sylvia Lange Young Eagle Dreams $500
Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center
James Heaton Flying Raven #5 $7,000
Kodiak Historical Society
Lena Amason-Berns It’s All Love Now $6,500
Sealaska Heritage Institute
Nicholas Galanin A tú (Inside a closed container) $22,250
Sheldon Jackson Museum
Delores Elizabeth Churchill Untitled $15,000
University of Alaska Museum of the North
Da-ka-xeen Mehner Gaaw Kootéeyaa $10,125
Da-ka-xeen Mehner Take n Give (after Erica Lord) $720
