Statewide Services for Alaska Museums
Since the 1980s, State Museum's Office of Statewide Services has provided resources, information, training opportunities, and more to museums, historical societies, cultural centers, and related organizations across Alaska. Providing services throughout the museum field statewide is integral to the State Museum's mission and is written into state statute as a core function of the Museum.
Confronted with a problem? Looking for information? Wondering about proper procedures? Just need to brainstorm? The Curator of Statewide Services provides technical information on all areas of museum operations either directly or by referral. Information can be provided by phone, Zoom, Teams, e-mail, mail or fax, your preference. If you're in the capitol, pop in and visit in person. The State Museum maintains a reference and research library as well as extensive files on museum practices, and has access to example core documents in the national museum reference library curated by the American Alliance of Museums.
Resources for Museums
Museum Technical Assistance
- We provide assessments and consult on many aspects of museum operations.
- Security concerns
- Educational program design
- Conservation resources
- Brainstorming and troubleshooting issues
- Core documents
- Designation of Natural and Cultural History Repositories
Connecting Alaska Museums
Emergency Preparedness: the Alaska Heritage Emergency Network
The Alaska Heritage Emergency Network (AHEN) listserv is a newly-formed network of cultural heritage institutions, professional organizations, and emergency response agencies, established to address cultural heritage needs before, during, and after a disaster. It costs nothing to join, and we welcome you to join the listserv to learn more.
Through an ongoing effort of open communication and collaboration, Alaska's cultural heritage community will build capacity across Alaska to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. AHEN was created in 2022 through an initiative of the Alaska State Museums, the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM), and other Alaskan cultural organizations to provide a forum where information sharing and analysis can be supported. AHEN works to integrate cultural heritage institutions with collections and other interested organizations into existing government-led emergency efforts and acts as an information-sharing group.
KTOO Interview: The Alaska Heritage Emergency Network empowers Alaska’s Cultural Heritage community (August 30, 2023)
Identifying Cultural Heritage Facilities at a glance
Navigable Map of Cultural Heritage Facilities
This is a map of cultural organizations in the US, including Alaska. It provides an easily-accessible visual representation of heritage facilities with collections. Developed by interdisciplinary staff at Louisiana State University and Arizona State University, and underwritten with a substantial grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, it provides a way to quickly identify entities that may experience potential impacts in regions facing natural disasters or other large area-specific emergencies.
From LSU's Project on Climate Threats for Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums, which uses GIS (geographic information system) analysis, through collaborative work by academic faculty, doctoral students and "GLAM" practitioners, and is developing a prioritized research agenda to address challenges.
Cultural Center and Museum Consortium
In spring 2025, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Museums Alaska and the Alaska State Museum revitalized the information sharing group — the "Cultural Center and Museum Consortium" (CCMC).
The group is a gathering of Alaska Native cultural centers and museums that are in early and varying stages of development, and the purpose of the CCMC is to build community, share resources, and learn.
Each month, we connect on a Zoom call. Most months, we host speakers on a specific topic we have heard the community wishes to learn about. Once per quarter we connect for virtual networking, for community members to come with their questions or updates on their projects.
If you’d like to join the email list for invitations, please contact Dixie Clough, Museums Alaska Director; Mary Irvine, Curator of Statewide Services at the Alaska State Museum; or Angie Demma, Curator of Collections & Exhibits at the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
Maritime Heritage Grant Program
The Alaska State Museum is partnering with the Alaska State Historic Preservation Office to offer a new grant opportunity for museums, cultural heritage organizations, and others, to apply for grants to support Maritime Heritage projects and share information about Alaska’s Maritime Heritage.
Grants start at $5,000 and must be matched by the applicant, either by in-kind effort or spending actual funds on their project. Applicants will need to outline how they’ll offer programming or lectures or lessons to the public. In the inaugural cycle of this new Maritime Program, 10 maritime education projects around the state were funding.
Learn more about the Alaska Maritime Heritage Preservation Program.