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State of
Alaska >
Department of Education &
Early Development >
Alaska State Council on the Arts >
Literature
Literary Arts
With guidance from the ASCA appointed literary
arts committee, staff works to provide increased visibility, public appreciation
and opportunities for literary artists in Alaska.
The program currently provides funds to individuals through the career
opportunity grant category. Non-profit organizations apply for project
grants, workshop grants and operating support grants to sponsor projects
ranging from readings to workshops.
The literary arts committee is developing a plan of action
that will guide the development of a stronger literary arts program
We have included
to many organizations that are devoted to poetry and other literary art
forms. These are just a few of the opportunities - pick up a pen, pick
up a book, go to a reading or browse the internet and have a great time
discovering poetry.
Alaska State Writer Laureate
The Juneau Poetry Society created the Poet Laureate Program in the early
1960s. In 1963, under House Resolution 25, the position of Poet Laureate
was officially confirmed by the Legislature. In 1987 AKSCA's Literary
Advisory Committee began to oversee the selection process with the
assistance
of past poet laureates. In 1996, the Council acted to broaden the position
to that of State Writer, recognizing and honoring all genres of writing.
The State Writer position is a two-year appointment. Alaska's current
State Writer Laureate is Nancy Lord of Homer, appointed
October 2008 - September 2010.
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Nancy was selected in 2008 by the Council to serve a two-year volunteer term as the thirteenth State Writer Laureate of Alaska. Alaska is the only state to include all literary genres in the State Writer Selection Process.
She embraces travel and teaching - Nancy moved to Homer, Alaska from Maine in 1973 and has traveled from Pelican, Alaska to Texas to teach writing. She has taught for many years at the Kachemak Bay Campus of Kenai Peninsula College/University of Alaska and completed sixteen writing residencies nationally and internationally. Nancy contributes
regularly to a the 49 Writer's blog
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| State Writer 2008-2010 Nancy Lord, Homer AK. Photo by Ken Castner. |
Nancy's published work includes many essays, commentaries, short stories, fiction & creative non-fiction and a 10-minute play. She is the author of three short fiction collections: The Compass Inside Ourselves (Fireweed Press, 1984), Survival (Coffee House Press, 1991), and The Man Who Swam with Beavers (Coffee House Press, 2001). She isbetter known for her three literary nonfiction books: Fishcamp: Life on an Alaskan Shore (Island Press, 1997), Green Alaska: Dreams from the Far Coast (Counterpoint Press, 1999), and Beluga Days: Tracking a White Whale's Truths (Counterpoint Press, 2004.) For many years she also wrote and recorded commentaries for NPR's Living on Earth.
Her new essay collection/memoir, Rock, Water, Wild: An Alaskan Life, was released by University of Nebraska Press in 2009. John Haines, former Poet Laureate of Alaska, has said of this work, "With this new book it is refreshing to have Nancy Lord's range of thought and example. Her writing is a gift to the intelligence of those of us who wish to understand our human occupation of the Earth-what we have done and are doing, and what we may learn for the betterment of our future." |
Alaska State Writer Laureates
2008 - Nancy Lord
2006 - John Straley
2004 - Jerah Chadwick
2002 - Anne Hanley
2000 - Richard Nelson
1995 - Tom Sexton
1988 - Joanne Townsend
1981 - Richard Dauenhauer
1977 - Sheila Nickerson
1973 - Ruben Gaines
1969 - John Haines
1965 - Oliver Everette
1963 - Margaret Mielke
The Alaska State Writer Laureate is an honorary appointment with a two-year term commitment.
The Alaska State Council on the Arts facilitates the selection of
an Alaskan Writer who has demonstrated exemplary professionalism,
literary excellence and a commitment to the advancement
of literary arts in Alaskan Communities.
Criteria
- Literary Excellence – Mastery in style, form, and genre.
- Exemplary Professionalism – Exceptional Talent in Published Works
- Advancement of Literary Arts in Alaskan Communities – In Service to Alaskan Communities
State Writer Laureate nomination forms and deadlines are available here
when open.
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