by Mikayla Mitchell (Deisheetaan Tlingit), Intern Many Alaska Native people use art to connect with traditions and also make ends meet financially. In this way, we care for ourselves and immediate family members. But Alaska Native art is obviously part of something much bigger, and it has the capacity for community care when we look a little closer. There are several ways to approach community care through art. Maybe this short blog will give you some inspiration for your next project!  Collaboration  One way to build a system of care is through collaboration with other artists. By doing this you

Alaska Native arts have long played a key role in communities across the state, supporting cultural continuity, artistic innovation, and local economics. Yet despite that evident impact, Alaska Native art has often been overlooked as an economic sector and has rarely been measured in ways that is reflective of its full contribution to Alaska’s economy. Compared with industries such as tourism, fisheries, or oil and gas, the economic contribution of Alaska Native arts has often been underdocumented and difficult to quantify. This deficiency can make it more difficult to advocate for investment, expand market access, and demonstrate the broader value of Alaska Native creative work statewide and beyond.   To