Who we are:

Citizens with a passion for the arts and for Anchorage, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Assembly. We are volunteers.

What we do:

The commission is established in Anchorage Municipal Code 4.60.150. 

We advise the Mayor and Assembly concerning all matters pertaining to municipal involvement in the arts in the community except those programs officially under the purview of other advisory bodies.

We receive requests for funds from community arts organizations and recommend to the mayor and assembly those projects and organizations that should receive municipal funding.

We promote public and private cooperation in support of the arts.

With the Urban Design Commission, we develop and recommend to the Administration and Assembly regulations that set forth the manner in which the requirements of the Arts in Public Facilities program are carried out (AAC 7.40).

Annual operating grants:

We fund presenters, producers, and community-based arts organizations that are 501(c)(3) nonprofits and that offer visual art, theater, dance, music, and poetry in Anchorage, Alaska. 

Arts grant applications are submitted online through the Mayor's Community Grants page.

Our priorities and values:

We value organizations that serve residents of the Municipality and that have offices here.  We value programming, performances, and performers that reflect the rich diversity of Anchorage’s audiences. We value organizations that promote their programs and bring in audiences. We place priority on stable organizations that can demonstrate leverage of Municipal funding.

We do not fund proposals that do not meet threshold requirements. We do not fund public school-based programs. 

Public Meeting Schedule: 

During the summer, the Arts Commission Meets the 2nd Monday of  the month, 6:00 p.m. in the Mayor's Conference Room (City Hall, 632 W. 6th Avenue, Room 830).