Rasmuson Foundation is accepting applications for the 2022 Individual Artist Awards (IAA). Online applications will be accepted through March 1, 2022; paper applications must be delivered or postmarked by Feb. 14.
In addition to individual artists, groups and collaboratives — two or more artists working together — are eligible for Project Awards and Fellowships. A musical band, a dance company and a multimedia collective are some examples.
The awards support artistic growth and exploration of new creative ground for artists living and working in Alaska. In 2021, award recipients represented 21 communities stretching across Alaska: Akiachak, Anchorage, Bethel, Chevak, Chickaloon, Eagle River, Fairbanks, Haines, Homer, Hooper Bay, Juneau, Kasigluk, Kenai, Ketchikan, Kotzebue, Palmer, Saxman, Sitka, Sutton, Valdez and Wasilla.
“The Foundation’s mission is to promote a better life for Alaskans. We consider support of the arts core to that, not something that is extra,” said Diane Kaplan, Foundation president and CEO.
The Foundation recruits a panel of experts in the arts from across the country to review applications and ultimately select 10 Fellows and 25 Project Award recipients.
Artists can apply at rasmuson.org/iaa for either a Project Award or a Fellowship:
Project Award: $7,500 for a specific, short-term project that clearly benefits the artist’s growth. Artists at all career stages — emerging, mid-career and mature — are eligible to apply for an award in 11 recognized disciplines.
Fellowship: $18,000 for mid-career and mature artists to focus their energy and attention on a year-long period of creative exploration. In 2022, Fellowship categories are: Media Arts, Multidiscipline, Music Composition, New Genre, Presentation/Interpretation and Visual Arts.
Award recipients receive a grant as well as professional development and promotion of their work, two areas that artists highlighted for attention in a 2016 survey. In 2022, a professional development program valued at $40,000 will be provided by the Anchorage Museum to focus on continued skill development in marketing, finances and portfolio growth.
Resources include a toolkit for artists and workshops. The Bethel Council on the Arts hosted a workshop for Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta artists on Saturday, Dec. 18, 1 p.m., at the Kuskokwim Consortium Library and on Zoom. A statewide virtual workshop is set for Wednesday, Feb. 2. Check rasmuson.org/iaa for additional information or follow the Foundation on Facebook. More workshops will be added. Our toolkit for artists, rasmuson.org/iaa/toolkit, includes short how-to videos and additional resources to guide artists through creation of resumes, artist statements, work samples and grant applications.
Artists with questions can email staff at [email protected] or call the Foundation at 907-297-2700. Media representatives can contact communications manager Lisa Demer at [email protected] or 907-545-3555.
“Artists tell us that the process of applying can make them better artists, just by the focused attention on what they create and why,” said Enzina Marrari, a Foundation program officer who oversees the artist awards. Before joining the Foundation, she was a two-time Individual Artist Award recipient. “Many artists apply multiple times before receiving an award and some receive an award the very first time. The selection panels change every year, and we encourage artists to keep trying and keep applying. Artists, tell your story. This year may just be your year!”
