Why give awards to individual artists?
What is the best way to support arts and culture in Alaska? In 2003, Rasmuson Foundation surveyed the field of artists and arts organizations to find out. The answer was nearly unanimous: Put money directly in the hands of artists. With those words as inspiration, the Foundation created the Individual Artist Awards (IAA) program.
In times of prosperity and times of uncertainty, art has the power to connect us.
Since 2004 and counting the 2021 recipients, we have awarded 588 grants topping $5.5 million, all going directly to support Alaska’s artists. That’s 17 Distinguished Artists, now a $40,000 award; 144 Artist Fellowships, currently at $18,000; and 391 Artist Project Awards of $7,500 each. Learn more about Project Awards and Fellowships here.
Benefits beyond the money
We are writing a new chapter. In a 2016 survey, artists told us of needs beyond financial support. They wanted help promoting their work and developing themselves as professional artists. We embrace those areas too.