Applications open for Rasmuson grants
The application period has opened for the Rasmuson Foundation’s annual Individual Artist Awards (IAA). Applications will be accepted through March 2. New for 2020, groups and collaboratives (two or more artists working together) can apply for Project Awards and Fellowships. Examples of groups include musical bands and dance companies.
Alaska artists can apply for one of 10 fellowships or 25 project awards as follows:
• Project Awards are $7,500 each 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 the 11 recognized disciplines of media arts, choreography, multidiscipline, crafts, music composition, folk and traditional arts, new genre, literary arts/scriptworks, presentation/interpretation, performance art and visual arts.
• Fellowships are $18,000 each for mid-career and mature artists to focus their energy and attention on a yearlong period of creative exploration. In 2020, 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. In 2020, professional development will be provided by the Anchorage Museum to focus on continued skill development in marketing, finances, creation of work samples and more.
The Foundation promotes artists through social media, rasmuson.org and stories on each artist in collaboration with the literary nonprofit 49 Writers.
“The Individual Artist Awards reflect the creative brilliance of artists working across Alaska. Each year, a new and different panel of national experts review the submissions and are exposed to the rich and diverse assembly of artists who apply,” said Foundation Program Officer Enzina Marrari in a press release. “We encourage artists to continue sharing their works, experiences and visions — and to keep applying.”
Additional resources, including a recorded webinar and tips on how to write an artist statement, are available at www.rasmuson.org.
Artists with questions can email staff at arts@rasmuson.org or call the Foundation at 907-297-2700.
Students can enter Fish Art contest
Student artists in grades K-12 can enter the Alaska State-Fish Art program contest sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service and Wildlife Forever. The program offers youth a chance to learn about aquatic conservation through art.
Award categories include any saltwater state fish, migratory fish, or even invasive species. Visit the State Fish Art website at www.statefishart.org for more details. Contestants in Alaska are encouraged to compete for the uniquely Alaskan Fish Heritage Award by submitting a king salmon entry and essay promoting our cultural, recreational, or economic connection to commercial, sport, or subsistence fishing in Alaska.
“The Forest Service is pleased to be the host for the Alaska State-Fish Art Contest this year because in Alaska, fishing is not just a sport, it’s our way of life and an important part of our culture,” said Dave Schmid, Alaska’s Regional Forester, in a press release. “We look forward to working with Wildlife Forever to create future anglers and stewards.”
“The State-Fish Art Contest has the power to take students out of the classroom and into the great outdoors,” said Julia Luger, Education and Communication Director of Wildlife Forever, “This contest will create an opportunity for young people in Alaska to connect with fish and fishing through art and science.”
Students from Alaska should submit their Fish Heritage Award entry with the following:
• Horizontal artwork featuring a king salmon, 9-inches by 12-inches in size
• Essay about the king salmon that is no longer than one page with name and grade on the back
• Alaska State-Fish Art Contest entry form, attached to the back of the artwork
Completed entries should be mailed no later than March 31 to the following address:
USDA Forest Service, Attn: Bobbie Jo Skibo, P.O. Box 21628, Juneau, AK 99802
