A groundbreaking online directory designed to showcase and connect Alaska Native artists across all creative disciplines has officially launched statewide. The Alaska Native Arts Directory, developed by the nonprofit Alaska Native Arts Foundation, offers free listings and went live last week to coincide with the Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention in Anchorage.
As of Monday, approximately 200 artists have been featured in the directory, with most profiles including photographs and detailed biographical information. The Anchorage-based Alaska Native Arts Foundation has set an ambitious goal of expanding the directory to include more than 1,000 artists by next year, demonstrating their commitment to comprehensively representing Indigenous creative talent across the state.
Beyond the directory launch, the foundation has announced plans to host Alaska's first-ever Alaska Native Arts Economic Summit next year. This pioneering event will bring together artists, policymakers, and other key partners to collaborate on building and strengthening the Indigenous creative economy throughout the state.
While other artist directories exist in Alaska, including some focused on Indigenous artists like the Collective49 Marketplace that enables member artists to promote and sell their work online, the Alaska Native Arts Directory aims to be more comprehensive in scope. Unlike numerous local directories in communities such as Ketchikan and Homer, this new platform serves the entire state and encompasses a broader range of artistic disciplines.
The directory's inclusive approach sets it apart by featuring writers, musicians, and other performing artists alongside those who create traditional carvings, paintings, and other physical artworks. It celebrates both contemporary art forms and traditional Indigenous arts, providing a platform for the full spectrum of Alaska Native creativity.
"The Alaska Native Arts Directory celebrates the full spectrum of Alaska Native creativity, visual and written arts, performance, design, and traditional practices, reflecting the diversity and vitality of Alaska's Indigenous cultures," said Gail Schubert, chair of the Alaska Native Arts Foundation, in an official statement.
The launch of this directory marks a significant renaissance for the Alaska Native Arts Foundation, which has experienced both growth and challenges over its two-decade history. Originally established in 2002, the foundation operated an ecommerce site and maintained a physical gallery in Anchorage for several years before financial difficulties forced the closure of these operations in 2016 due to lost state funding and other budgetary challenges.
The current directory project and other new initiatives are now supported by a diverse array of funding sources, ensuring greater financial stability than previous endeavors. According to the foundation's statement, the effort receives backing through grants and support from multiple organizations, including the Rasmuson Foundation, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the office of U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the Alaska State Council on the Arts, and the Municipality of Anchorage, among other sponsors and partners.
