Can you share with us your connections to UAA and more generally your connections to the art scene in Anchorage? 

“They go back about the same length of time, because my whole career has been involved in the arts or humanities here in Alaska. I started my first job in the arts at UAA, actually. I worked in what is now the Wendy Williamson Auditorium as the front of house manager, the individual who is in charge of everything related to the audience side of the curtain. I got this position shortly after I arrived in Alaska, with my new degree in Theater Arts and I ended up sticking around, doing some backstage work in productions at the University. I also ran some statewide programs with arts educators and arts performers across the state, and I worked with the Arts Council Program until 1980. Then I went to work for the Anchorage Concert Association. I worked mostly with fine performing arts: classical music, dance, etc. The Alaska Center for the Performing Arts was built during my tenure with the Anchorage Concert Association.”

When did you start with the Atwood Foundation? 

“My first year with them was 2010, and during my first year, I was a trustee. I worked in that capacity for three years, and then when the Foundation was looking for a director, I took on that role. The Atwood Foundation goes back to 1962, when it was founded by Bob Atwood and his wife, Evangeline Rasmuson Atwood. While they were alive, they set the precedent for the kind of activities they wanted to see supported. In particular, they were big supporters of the arts, journalism, and history.”

 

Throughout your tenure as Executive Director at the Atwood Foundation, there have been some pretty transformational gifts to UAA. Do you have any favorite awards that have been made? 

“The most known, and certainly the biggest gift, was the Atwood Chair of Journalism endowment. That project was started before my time with the foundation, but came to fruition within a few years of my arrival. The foundation gave a certain amount of money every year, to the point where the chair, currently held by John Sharify, is a fully endowed position. Every year that position within the Department of Journalism and Public Communications is held by a distinguished journalist from somewhere in the world. Inviting these strong journalists to the faculty adds to what is already a really great journalism program. In addition to the endowed chair, the Atwood Foundation also gives out two scholarships in the Department of Journalism and Public Communications.  

Recently, the Atwood Foundation gave to revitalize the Dance Program at UAA, helping to reboot and refresh the program. The foundation and I have made a three year commitment to this program, but I hope it’s more than three years. Dance is an important part of the performing arts scene here in Anchorage. Programs at the university level play a key role in continuing the education of dancers; the education that usually starts when the dancers are four years old. The dance program did not deserve to be terminated, especially since there is support for it across the community.”

 

What do you see as UAA's role in the arts community? 

“The most obvious role is that of an educator. Beyond that, I believe that the University is also an incubator. The university is a great place to get an arts education, and it is a place that provides for our local music community, like the opera, the symphony, etc. The Fine Arts Building is a facility that houses phenomenal materials and equipment for the students to work with, but it is more than that. There is a sense of community here; this is a place where artists can work cooperatively and collaboratively. The facilities in the Fine Arts Building; the black box theater, the mainstage theater, and the recital hall all provide an invaluable learning space for artists.The art studios throughout the building support visual artists working with so many different mediums. 

While there is not a theater major here anymore, the College of Arts and Sciences and the team in the Fine Arts Building are making these spaces more available to the community. This is how the role of an incubator comes into play. The building currently hosts groups like the Alaska Theatre of Youth, which allows younger students to access the facilities, learn with the faculty, and get hands-on experience. Other community groups and theater companies also use the spaces in the Fine Arts Building.

Another important change is that the Journalism and Public Communications program has moved into the Fine Arts Building. The Journalism and Public Communications program has these different facilities that they can work with now, which has led to a lot of interesting activities for the students.”

 

If you are dreaming about what could be in terms of local art offerings, what would you love to see? 

“Generally, what I would like to see is people in Anchorage personally engaging in the arts. Somewhere along the way, most people were involved in the arts. They took dance classes or they picked up a guitar, a violin or drumsticks or they painted. What I want to see is that continue. This is why the university and the spaces on campus are so important. They provide a place for instruction, for learning, and for creativity. I do not necessarily mean everyone will be a professional artist, but this personal connection leads to advocacy and appreciation for the arts. 

Another thing that I would like to see is more people going out to see performances. All across Anchorage, there are a ton of performances, sadly with empty seats. I would love to see those seats get filled.”

 

Are there any other local art offerings or performances you would like to give a special shoutout to that you would hope everyone would make an effort to support? 

“The diplomatic thing to say is all of them, but that is not always possible. I will say that the Atwood Foundation is a great one to support, because we are working to support wonderful arts events in town that are put on by so many organizations. My advice to everyone is to try something you haven't tried before. Reach out, go beyond your comfort zone and explore. There are always remarkable activities going on around you, all you need to do is look.”

 

Thank you, Ira, for your continued support of the College!