Distinguished Service to the Humanities The 2020 Governor’s Arts & Humanities Awards By Jann D. Mylet The 51st annual Governor’s Arts & Humanities Awards were broadcast and live-streamed on KTOO’s 360TV in early January 2021. The full program and information about all of the awardees can be viewed online at akgovawards. org, where nominations are now open for the 52nd awards. Congratulations to this year’s awardees!
KODIAK HISTORY MUSEUM Kodiak Distinguished Service to the Humanities | Community
The Kodiak History Museum “The museum did not stop at simply (KHM), known until 2019 as the Ba- a name change, but has integrated this ranov Museum, serves as an essential shift into the culture of the organization, and beloved community resource dedi- inside and out,” reflects Della Hall, the cated to preserving, interpreting, and former Executive Director of Museums sharing the full breadth of the history of Alaska. “The permanent exhibit redethe Kodiak archipelago. sign acknowledges the community’s full In 2018, the museum undertook a history and does not shy away from an massive project to redesign its perma- honest reflection of its history of vionent exhibits and upgrade its facility, lence, racial, and socioeconomic inequidriven by a collective ty. The shift to an ‘of, by, initiative to include “Our museum is taking for all’ model for their the stories of immitemporary exhibits ena lead in decolonizing grant workers, fishsures that the museum small museums in our ermen, servicemen, continues to be an inteand other underrepre- great state and forging gral and responsive part sented stories within of the community.” connections between In accepting the the community and people across race, award on behalf of to celebrate Kodiak as class, and cultural KHM, Executive Direcan international crosstor Sarah Harrington divides.” roads. There was also commented, “We believe a desire to include the long-neglected, devastating effects of that we are a platform for the community colonialism as part of the historical nar- to tell its own stories, draw its own conrative. The museum’s exhibits now ex- clusions, and create meaningful dialogue plore themes of immigration, industry, together, looking to history as our guide. and cross-cultural interaction in coastal Our museum is taking a lead in decolosouthwest Alaska, and the discovery of nizing small museums in our great state Kodiak’s cultural, social, and environ- and forging connections between people across race, class, and cultural divides.” mental history.
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A L A S K A H U M A N I T I E S F O R U M S P R I N G 2021
THE AWARDS Each year, an Alaska artist is commissioned to create a series of unique awards to present to the awardees. This year’s awards (right) are by Nicholas Galanin (Tlingit/ Unangax) of Sitka. Nicholas Galanin’s work engages contemporary culture from his perspective rooted in connection to land. He embeds incisive observation into his work, investigating intersections of culture and concept in form, image, and sound. Galanin’s works critique commodification of culture, while contributing to the continuum of Tlingit art by employing materials and processes that expand dialogue on Indigenous artistic production, and how culture can be carried. Galanin apprenticed with master carvers, earned his B.F.A. at London Guildhall University, and his M.F.A. at Massey University. His work is held in numerous public and private collections and exhibited worldwide. He currently lives and works with his family in Sitka. PHOTO BY MICHAEL CONTI
