Alaska State Council on the Arts - Helen Walker Performing Arts Grant

The Helen Walker Performing Arts Grant, a program of the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA), supports performing arts across Alaska. Named after Helen A. Walker, a prominent arts advocate and founder of key arts institutions in the state, the grant honors her legacy of fostering access to high-quality cultural programming in Alaska’s diverse and often remote communities. The grant was established through the Arts Alaska Endowment Fund, which since 1975 has contributed over $100,000 in support of performing arts tours and initiatives throughout the state. As of 2006, the fund is administered by the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation, with interest earnings funding the grant awards. The program is designed to enhance access to performing arts in areas where such opportunities are limited. It prioritizes projects that address geographic or cultural access gaps, demonstrate artistic quality, and contribute to community and organizational enrichment. Educational and outreach components are also key considerations during review. The funding is meant for presenting and touring performances, including theater, dance, opera, musical theater, music, literary readings, storytelling, folk and traditional arts, and media arts. It can also support professional development activities for staff and volunteers of performing arts organizations. Applicants must be Alaska-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and at least three years in operation, tribal or other government entities, or schools, provided the project is extracurricular and not part of the academic curriculum. Only one grant may be awarded per applicant in a given state fiscal year (July 1–June 30). Projects must start no earlier than the first of the month following the application deadline and conclude by June 30. Award amounts typically range from $500 to $2,000, with up to $5,000 available for multi-community tours. Funding decisions are based on the criteria above and are made following ASCA council review. All expenditures must be directly related to the proposed project. Ineligible expenses include regular season programming and capital expenditures. Applications are accepted quarterly, with deadlines on June 1, September 1, December 1, and March 1. However, the grant is currently closed through the remainder of FY26 (Q3 and Q4), with the next deadline anticipated no earlier than June 1, 2026. Applicants are advised to contact ASCA staff prior to applying to confirm eligibility and clarify any questions. Awards are typically announced at the end of the application month. For inquiries, contact Laura Forbes, Arts Education Program Director, at laura.forbes@alaska.gov or 907-269-6682.

Emphasize underserved communities and projects that expand access. Artistic quality and community impact weigh heavily in review.