Ulukhaktok Art Center Finds New L IFE

u lukhaktok has a longstanding arts and crafts tradition, and is the birthplace of the internationally acclaimed ‘ holman prints.’ from the sixties onwards, the arts flourished in Ulukhaktok (formerly named holman), and many members of its community were printmakers, carvers, and crafts makers.

“The arts started dying down about eight years ago,” said Louie n igiyok, chair of uaa , “because of the closure of the arts and crafts center. Before that, I worked nineteen years for the print shop.” The UAA board worked with IRC and ITI (Industry, Tourism and Investment) to seek the funds needed to rectify the situation.

“There were a few ups and downs, we’ve had our application rejected once in the past. But our main goal was to revive our arts and culture, looking at that made me want to continue,” said Louie. The uaa changed its application focus from getting venture capital to becoming a subsidiary company two years ago. “We have to thank a whole bunch of people for helping us, Eugene rees at ITI, n ellie Cournoyea at I rC, Joe perry the Co-op manager, and the board of UAA.”

The u lukhaktok Community Corporation and the h amlet of u lukhaktok formed a committee to decide where to allocate the community’s capacity building fund. “We made a plan to put money in the arts. There were too many people laid off when they stopped doing art. s ome people did continue to sell art privately, but and it was sad that others had nothing to do.”

“The committee looked at the number of artists in the hamlet, and decided to invest $150,000 into the revival of the arts center,” said mayor peter Malgokak.

“That investment showed that the community is 100% behind this initiative. We couldn’t have gotten there without their support. Working together as a team got us this far,” said Joe Perry. He also estimated that it would take about a year for the building to get refurbished, and the staffing in place. A contest will also be held so that the new subsidiary can be named.

“Then we’ll have a mini grand opening,” he smiled. “Right now people are trying to teach children traditional arts in makeshift buildings and the school. once we get the building operational, we can get more young people involved.”