Adam Kolton Alaska Storytelling Grant Award

Adam Kolton Alaska Storytelling Grant Award

Funder: Alaska Wilderness League

Award Amount: $20,000 unrestricted award

Recurrence: Annual

Overview

Established in memory of Adam Kolton, the League's late executive director (2017-2021), this merit-based storytelling grant supports practicing professional storytellers of exceptional talent and ability who have experience living in Alaska and tell uniquely Alaskan stories. Adam was known for understanding the power of storytelling as a tool for change in the Alaskan landscape.

Eligibility

• Practicing professional storyteller with exceptional talent and ability
• Experience living in Alaska
• Tells a uniquely Alaskan story
• Uses varied storytelling formats (spoken word, photography, film, visual art, traditional and new approaches)

Focus Areas

• Storytelling that carries forward Adam Kolton's legacy
• Support for artists and storytellers exploring what it means to tell an impactful story
• Emphasis on Alaskan narratives and landscapes, particularly those connected to conservation themes like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Past Recipients

• 2022: Polly Andrews (Cup'ik from Chevak, uses ancient and contemporary story, song, drum and spoken word; focused on youth workshops in Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta)
• 2023: Bjorn Olsen

Contact Information

• Email: Chris@AlaskaWild.org or aileo@alaskawild.org
• Phone: 202-544-5205
• Address: 122 C St NW, Ste 650, Washington, DC 20001

Background

Made possible through generous donations to the Adam Kolton Memorial Fund. The grant was first announced in late 2021 and inaugural applications were received in 2022.