Foundation seeks applications for artist awards

MAT-SU - Application period ends March 1 for this year's Rasmuson Foundation Individual Artist Awards grant program.

The awards are designed to support Alaskan artists at various stages in their careers 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 through the Individual Artist Awards program last year and expects to award a similar number in 2012.

Applications may be filed online before 11:59 p.m., March 1 at rasmuson.org, or by mail, applications must be postmarked by March 1.

The Individual Artist Awards program has awarded 232 grants since 2004 totaling nearly $1.7 million.

Applicants must be Alaska residents of two or more years who have not won an Individual Artist Award in the past three years and are 18 or older.

Awards are available for short-term project needs up to $5,000; fellowships of up to $12,000 for mid-career and mature artists to advance their careers; and an unrestricted $25,000 distinguished artist award in recognition of creative excellence and superior accomplishments.

For more information, or to apply online, visit rasmuson.org, call (907) 297-2700, or (877) 366-2700, or write to the Rasmuson Foundation, 301 W. Northern Lights Blvd., Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99503.