Community Healing Garden & Monuments - Veterans

The Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC) invites Indigenous artists to apply to develop, create, and install a public monument to honor the service and sacrifices of all Veterans, with special emphasis on Alaska Native and Native American Veterans. This monument will be installed in ANHC's Traditional Healing Garden as part of the Ngiisdla Project (Haida, "to heal, recover, and get well again"), which advances goals of healing, implementing ceremonies, preserving cultures, and facilitating truth-telling about Alaska's history. This is the second of ten monuments to be installed in the space, representing traditions and arts of the five regional cultural groups of the Alaska Native community.

The monument will be allocated approximately 50 square feet of space within an 8-foot diameter circle. The main elements should be located within the assigned area, though there is flexibility in incorporating the directly adjacent area. The monument should not exceed the height of the existing 20-foot healing pole. The design must represent all six branches of service, the Alaska Territorial Guard, and the contribution of women veterans. Suggested themes include the importance of water as a cleansing and healing force, the close ties between language and culture and their ability to heal, reference to Code Talkers and other Indigenous contributors to military strategies, Alaska Native and Native American universal values, and the symbol of a circle to signify safety and connection. ANHC is seeking Indigenous artist(s) on a healthy spiritual path and encourages mentorship artist teams to apply.

The total budget for the artwork is $85,000, covering all costs including design, fabrication, travel and accommodations, transportation, installation, photographic documentation, and design documentation for signage. The artwork must be designed for longevity, durability, and safety in Anchorage's climate, with materials and techniques requiring no ongoing maintenance. It should withstand minor vandalism and be designed to prevent undesirable interaction (no head or finger entrapments, no sharp edges). Applicants must submit 5-9 digital media samples of past work, a 1-2 page resume with 3 professional references, an artist statement describing interest and qualifications, a brief conceptual proposal identifying medium and thematic relevance, and proof of tribal enrollment. Selection will be based on artistic merit, appropriateness of medium and style, experience with similar-scale projects, communication skills, and willingness to work collaboratively with the Veteran's committee and staff.