ARTShops: An Alaska Native
Arts Leadership Program
The ARTShops program is an intentional collaboration between The CIRI Foundation (TCF), the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA), and the Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC). Each year, pending funding availability, up to four ARTShops leaders are selected through an invited application process to design and lead community-based arts workshops.
ARTShops Leaders & Projects (2016 – Present)
Explore the master artists and culture bearers who have led community workshops across Alaska.
Hunting Gear Workshop
Wolverine Workshop
Creating with Chidgan (Seal Intestine)
Natraryaraq (Hard Bottom Seal Skin Boot Making)
Iñupiaq Sewing
Basket Weaving Techniques From Start to Finish
Sunshine Ruff Making
Doll Making
Art of Eating: Haida Ladles
Northwest Coast Regalia: Leather Leggings
Tsimshian Panel Making
Qaspeq Sewing Workshop
Fish Skin Tanning & Salmon Bone Earring Making
Unangax Waterproof Stitching (Child Size Chigdax/Kamleika)
Womens’ Kameksak (Skin Boots)
Yup’ik Regalia
Harpoon Making
Deg Hit’an Carving Traditions
Traditional & Contemporary Marine Mammal Skin Sewing
Fish Tanning Camp
Yurarrcuutnek Piliiyuggtua (Dance Fan Making)
Reviving Bentwood Boxes
Kamipiaq Hard Bottom Crimping Class
Qaspeq Sewing Workshop
Iñupiaq Kammak Making Workshop
Unangan Fishskin Boot Workshop
Freshwater Seal Parka Making Workshop
Fish Wheel Building & King Salmon Skin Tanning
Seal Skin Processing Techniques Workshop
Mask Carving Workshop
Museum Research & 3D Replication Project
Grass Sewing Workshop
Woven Chilkat Faces & Exhibition Project
Sheldon Jackson 'Alumni Room' Exhibition Project
Four Generations of Spruce Root Weaving
Graduate ARTShops Program
In June 2020, TCF expanded the program to include a Graduate ARTShops opportunity in partnership with the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Alaska State Council on the Arts, and the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation. This initiative supports artists who have completed an initial ARTShops project in expanding their teaching and reaching statewide audiences.
2024 Graduate ARTShops
2023 Graduate ARTShops
2020 – 2022 Graduate ARTShops Cohorts
Want to Recommend an ARTShops Leader?
Please contact The CIRI Foundation if you know of an emerging or master arts leader in your community who you would recommend as a future potential ARTShops leader.