Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA), Alaska Humanities Forum (AKHF), the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation, and the Office of the Governor are seeking nominations for the annual Governor’s Arts and Humanities Awards.
Alaska State Council on the Arts Chairman Benjamin Brown said, “ASCA is absolutely delighted to be working again with our partners at the Humanities Forum and the Arts & Culture Foundation on this wonderful program. Arts and culture celebrate Alaska Native peoples and their history, lift up Alaskans of all backgrounds and histories, strengthen our communities, contribute to a vibrant economy, and make our lives better in almost every way. We rely on Alaskans to nominate people and organizations whose work and activities should be recognized and applauded. We’re very excited to work with Governor Dunleavy and Lieutenant Governor Dahlstrom on presenting these awards to deserving Alaskans in May of this year!”
These awards recognize and honor Alaskans whose noteworthy contributions to the arts and humanities have made a lasting impact on Alaska’s social, economic, and civic life. They highlight individuals and organizations that have helped strengthen communities by forging connections between people across race, class, and cultural divides; those that have furthered traditional Alaska Native language or culture; and those that have contributed to a better understanding of the world, one another, and the human experience.
“The Alaska Humanities Forum is excited to once again support the Governor’s Arts and Humanities Awards, celebrating and recognizing those individuals and organizations that contribute to strengthening our communities and making Alaska a more vibrant, equitable, and culturally diverse place to live,” said Kameron Perez-Verdia, President & CEO of Alaska Humanities Forum.
Educators, researchers, culture bearers, community leaders, artists, businesses, and engaged citizens have all been recognized since the awards were created in 1968. Recipients have included the well-established – as well as those lesser known – who have stepped up and made an impact in our communities and in our state through their talent, vision, and passion.
Nominations by the public are accepted starting January 6, 2023, online at akgovawards.org. The event will take place in May 2023 in Anchorage with an in-person event.
2023 Award Categories:
HUMANITIES AWARDS:
·Education: This award recognizes an Alaska individual or organization that has helped strengthen communities by contributing to a better understanding of the world, one another, and the human experience.
·Leadership: This award recognizes an Alaska individual or organization that has helped strengthen communities through their commitment to improve Alaska›s social, economic, and civic life.
·Community: This award recognizes an Alaska individual or organization that has helped strengthen communities by forging connections between people across race, class, and cultural divides.
ARTS AWARDS:
·Margaret Nick Cooke Award for Native Arts and Languages: The Alaska Native Arts award recognizes those who have advanced traditional Alaska Native language or culture through their work, or significantly improved the preservation, perpetuation, and active practice of Alaska Native arts.
·Individual Artist Award: Awarded based on artistic leadership, distinction and merit; Recognition of artistic contribution to the state or community through previous honors and awards, reviews or articles; Longevity of impact to state or community.
·Arts Business Leadership Award: Awarded to a business whose fiscal generosity and participation has made a substantial impact on the arts in Alaska; a business that has used the arts to propel its success; programs that engage employees with creativity and other community activities that support arts and business partnerships; a business dedicated to promoting the arts through administrative and professional efforts.
·Government Leadership in the Arts Award: The nomination clearly shows that the individual or organization has exhibited a long-standing dedication to the arts and community development in Alaska through volunteer, administrative or professional effort in service to the public.
Please note that current ASCA or Forum Council / Board members, staff or prior Award recipients are not eligible. For further details about each of the awards and to access the online nomination form, please visit akgovawards.org.
