2020 Annual Report
Bunnell Street Arts Center is situated within the sovereign tribal boundaries of Ninilchik Village Tribe, stretching from Elanaaq (Homer Spit in the Suge’stun language) across Tikahtnu (Cook Inlet, Dena’ina), and from T’ch’anen (Caribou Hills, Dena’ina) to north of Niqnalchint (Ninilchik). These lands have been stewarded for thousands of years since time immemorial by the Indigenous people of this region – Dena’ina, Sugpiaq, Yup’ik, and Kachemak peoples before them. Thank You! We commit to resisting colonialism by partnering with Indigenous artists and supporting Indigenous-led practices.
Bunnell Street Arts Center’s Land Acknowledgment is a Living Document. We offer this statement with good intentions. It is not our intent to offend, and we welcome feedback on how we can continue to improve our efforts on this journey.
In this time of significant social and environmental change, Bunnell Street Arts Center amplifies artists’ ideas to create equitable communities and respond to the challenges of climate change, the global pandemic, economic recession, and the struggle for social justice.
Bunnell’s last in-person concert was March 13, 2020, just as the world locked down. In response, the Plate Project became “to-go.” Artists made postcards for essential workers. Generous people donated to artists struggling to meet basic needs. Weekly Inspiration in Isolation talks kept artists connected. Concerts and Artist-in-Schools units were canceled or postponed, but artists were still paid.
Then isolation became adaptation. First Fridays and workshops went online. The gallery reopened with social distancing and grew with online art sales. Inspiration & Adaptation dialogs and online land acknowledgment workshops focused attention on equity and inclusion – critically needed as worldwide protests in support of Black Lives Matter clearly demonstrate. Artist relief grants provided more substantial artist aid and commissioned artists for workshops, radio shows, and Community Supported Art. Generous foundations, individuals, art sales, and government funding kept doors open and this work possible.
Through residencies, exhibitions, performances, workshops and podcasts, Bunnell provides platforms for artists and culture workers to lead and shape Alaska’s culture and relevance in global conversations. Bunnell leans into artists’ ideas and centers artists’ voices in response to these times. Thank you for your support.
