Program Background.

The direct predecessor to Place.ment was The Northern Pen, a series of creative sessions that opened interdisciplinary, collaborative dialogue among young Alaskan artists about the theme of people’s relationship with place.

Founded by myself, Middlebury College professor Matthew Dickerson, and then-director at Anchorage Museum Hollis Mickey, The Northern Pen was built quickly and experimentally from a windfall of resources and opportunities. Nevertheless, in 2017 and 2018, The Northern Pen drew students from Alaska and across the nation to participate in multi-stage creative practices that culminated in community showcases at Alaska Pacific University and Experience Theater. Several students have carried forward the creative practices they developed or expanded during The Northern Pen.

The Northern Pen was funded by a Community Arts Development Grant—money from the National Endowment for the Arts channeled through the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA). When ASCA briefly lost state funding in 2019, The Northern Pen lost its budget during a critical period of promotion. By the time state funding was restored to ASCA, it was too late to plan the 2019 creative sessions. It was time to step back and create a more stable program.

That more stable program is Place.ment. Our team of artist educators is based in Alaska and covers a broad range of artistic disciplines and fields of experience. We have benefitted from in-kind consulting donations from Pier Lafarge, global trustee at The Nature Conservancy, Drew Cason, consultant at Professional Growth Systems, and Joe Hemphill, Chief Development Office of Covenant House. We have clarified the mission of our program and build in-roads in art and education within Alaska. Together, we are ready to build a program that grows and lasts.