Interview with an Individual Artist Grant Recipient

Calling all Alaskan artists: Rasmuson Foundation just opened the application period for its annual Individual Artist Awards grant program, and it’s more inclusive than ever.

The awards are designed to support Alaskan artists at various stages in their career and creative development working in many artistic disciplines. New this year, the field of presentation and interpretation was added to the fellowship category, opening the award to actors, dancers, musicians, vocalists and other performance artists. The Foundation awarded more than $230,000 in last year’s Individual Artist Awards program, and expects to make a similar number of awards in 2012.

“What makes these awards special is that the money is for the individual artist to pursue their own work,” said Jayson Smart, program officer for Rasmuson Foundation. “It’s not a commissioned award, it’s for the artist to use to advance themselves in their own artistic practice.”

Here is an interview with a past recipient, Alaskan artist Teri Rofkar:

Applications may be filed online on the Rasmuson Foundation website and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. March 1, or sent by mail and postmarked by March 1, 2012.

Since 2004, the Individual Artist Awards program has awarded 232 grants, totaling nearly $1.7 million, directly to Alaska artists.

Rasmuson Foundation created the Individual Artist Awards to foster the growth of serious artists, helping them continue to create, experiment and contribute art to Alaska communities. Eligible applicants are Alaska residents of two or more years who have not won an Individual Artist Award in the past three years and are 18 years or older. Interested applicants can receive more information and apply online at www.rasmuson.org.

Awards are available in three different programs: project awards of up to $5,000 meant for artists with short-term project needs; artist fellowship awards of up to $12,000 for mid-career and mature artists to advance their career; and, an unrestricted $25,000 distinguished artist award in recognition of creative excellence and superior accomplishments.

Additional information is also available by calling 907-297-2700 or 877-366-2700 (toll free in Alaska), or by writing the Rasmuson Foundation, 301 W Northern Lights Boulevard, Suite 300, Anchorage, Alaska 99503.