FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Anchorage, AK – October 15, 2025
Contact: Alaska Native Arts Foundation
Phone: (907) 258-ANAF
Email: https://alaskanativeartsdirectory.org/
Website: www.aknativearts.org
Board Chair thanks Senator Murkowski and Partners for Making Long-Needed Tool Possible
Anchorage, Alaska — The Alaska Native Arts Foundation (ANAF) is proud to announce that the Alaska Native Arts Directory is now live, providing the first and only statewide platform designed to uplift, connect, and support Alaska Native artists. This free, public tool strengthens Alaska’s creative economy by giving artists across Alaska the visibility, access, and opportunity they deserve.
“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. “This milestone would not have been possible without the incredible dedication of our team, our partners, and the funders who believed in this vision from the beginning. We want to recognize Senator Lisa Murkowski, whose steadfast support and advocacy for Alaska Native artists made this long-needed tool a reality. The Alaska Native Arts Directory stands as a testament to what collaboration can achieve, connecting and empowering artists across every region of Alaska, and ensuring that our rich cultural traditions continue to thrive for generations to come.”
The Directory allows buyers, educators, and cultural institutions to discover and connect directly with artists statewide through one trusted, centralized platform. Visitors can explore the live Directory now at https://alaskanativeartsdirectory.org/.
ANAF’s goal is to expand the Directory to feature more than 1,000 artists by next year and to host the first-ever Alaska Native Arts Economic Summit in 2026. This landmark event will unite artists from every medium, along with policymakers and partners, to strengthen Alaska’s Indigenous creative economy. Alaska Native art is not only a profound expression of culture and identity, but also a powerful economic driver, particularly in rural communities where it sustains families, supports local businesses, and fuels cultural tourism.
ANAF will host a booth at the Alaska Native Crafts Marketplace at AFN, providing professional portraits of Alaska Native artists, and is sponsoring a pop-up art exhibit with more than 20 artists showcased at the Wild Birch Hotel on Thursday evening from 7 to 11 PM.
The Alaska Native Arts Directory is possible because of the collaboration of artists, advocates, and funders who share a vision of a thriving Indigenous arts economy. Early partners in this initiative include the Rasmuson Foundation; Small Business Administration and the Office of Senator Lisa Murkowski; Alaska State Council on the Arts; Alaska Native Museum Sovereignty Group; The CIRI Foundation; Municipality of Anchorage and Mayor LaFrance; Denali Commission; Anchorage Museum/Seed Lab; Alaska Native Heritage Center; and the Southwest Alaska Arts Group.
ANAF promotes and supports the cultural, economic, and creative development of Alaska Native artists statewide. Through close collaboration with artists, ANAF identified a growing need for a centralized platform to better connect and promote Alaska Native artists. The Alaska Native Arts Directory responds to that need, expanding visibility, opportunity, and resilience for artists whose work sustains Alaska’s cultural identity and strengthens Alaska’s creative economy. ANAF’s to efforts are guided by its Directory Project Steering Committee and Board of Directors, including Alex Sallee, Brit Galanin, Drew Michael, Erin Gingrich, Jerrod Galanin, Kathy Mayo, Melissa Shaginoff, Nadia Jackinsky-Sethi, Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Trina Landlord, Gail Schubert (Chair), and Veronica Slajer.
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