ALASKA HUMANITIES FORUM ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT
SERVING ALASKA, CONNECTING ALASKANS
THE ALASKA HUMANITIES FORUM serves
as Alaska’s state humanities council—one of 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils across the country. Each functions as an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization to support the unique interests and needs within its state; collectively, the state councils work to “transform lives, connect communities, and enrich the nation.” Through events, workshops, grants, and partnerships, the Alaska Humanities Forum seeks to: Preserve, share, and amplify Alaska stories—particularly those that are not welldocumented or known broadly;
■
Strengthen community through face-toface conversations that encourage compassion, belonging, and connection across difference;
■
Engage people in dialogue around timely questions and themes that impact our lives and the shared human experience: our humanity. ■
● GRANTS
● LEADERSHIP
● CONVERSATION
● EDUCATORS AND ● YOUTH
The Forum invests in Alaska artists, writers, historians, filmmakers, and community conveners through grants that fuel creative projects to share and preserve the stories of people across the state and explore what it means to be Alaskan. In 2020, the Forum’s annual grant program was put on hold in response to the impact of COVID-19 as we pivoted to distribute and administer funds allocated by the CARES Act to assist cultural nonprofit institutions and organizations.
The Forum’s leadership programs build capacity across industries and sectors, backgrounds, and experiences. We emphasize equity, critical thinking, and collaboration in addressing the complex economic, social, and political issues across Alaska’s communities.
The Forum leads, hosts, and funds public events, programs, and community discussions that bring people together to share their stories, ideas, and experiences so they may better understand themselves, one another, and the human experience.
The Forum’s programming for educators and youth uses cultural immersion, reflective learning, and exploration to better prepare and connect educators and youth in rural and urban communities across Alaska.
FY20: Leadership Anchorage: 16 participants, 5 community impact projects; Leader to Leader Exchange: 4 participants, Anchorage and • Utqiagvik
FY20: 76 grants, $446,500
16
A L A S K A H U M A N I T I E S F O R U M FA L L 2020
Kindling Conversation, Facilitation Workshops, Culture Shift, Community Conversations, Togetherings FY20: 606 people, 43 gatherings, 3 communities; 17 virtual / statewide gatherings
Sister School Exchange, Creating Cultural Competence (C3), Tengluni, Alaska History Day, AK|Next FY20: Approx. 1000 students served, 52 educators, 42 communities ● BOARD MEMBERS
