Alaska Native
Art Writing Initiative
Alaska Native arts practices and aesthetic systems hold an expansive wealth of knowledge based on thousands of years of development. The symbols that artists use, the materials they employ, and the function of our arts are connected to subsistence practices, historical experiences, cultural stories, and deep connection to place.
Whose Art Story Has Been Told?
The written record of Alaska’s Indigenous art history has most often been recorded from the perspective of non-Indigenous authors. While many authors have helped to document Alaska Native arts practices, there have also been persistent examples of misrepresentation in the written record.
An Indigenous-based art history provides an opportunity to contextualize our arts and aesthetic traditions in a way that is relevant to our sense of community, our understanding of history, and our core cultural values.
Core Initiative Goals
Reclaim Missing Narratives
Make space for missing narratives in Alaska’s art history by sharing our knowledge and adding our voices through critical writing and published works.
Document with Indigenous Perspectives
Document Alaska Native arts and living artists through cultural frameworks, community accountability, and Native-centered terminology.
Grow Indigenous Art Writers
Grow the number of practicing Alaska Native art writers, critics, and scholars, building a sustainable and supportive statewide network.
Explore Resources for Alaska Native Artists
Review our Grant Writing Handbook and the Alaska Native Artist Resource Workbook.