Distinguished Artist Award

About this program

The Rasmuson Foundation annually presents the Distinguished Artist Award, a $50,000 grant recognizing an Alaskan artist for their lifelong creative excellence and significant contributions to the state's cultural enrichment. Nominees must be full-time Alaska residents with decades of artistic experience and current active production. Eligibility requires established careers, extensive independent bodies of work, and demonstrated high aesthetic ability, with artists only eligible to win once. Nominations are currently closed and will reopen in 2026.