Thoughts on being an Alaskan Artist

PDC company member Brooke Nguyen.

There are a lot of wonderful things about Alaska - location, opportunities, community, the view.

Those same things can simultaneously become the hardships - and the saving graces - of being a working artist in our state.

Location? We're completely detached from art hubs. New York, LA, Europe. It's safe to say Jiri Kylian doesn't Google search "dance in Anchorage" when he needs inspiration. And so it remains our responsibility to seek knowledge, chase new experiences, and share them generously.

Opportunities? They're as vast as our state's square footage... but only if you make them. As Alaska approaches its Centennial Celebration, it's important to note that a city is only as vibrant as the art it supports, and within 100 years, we've come far. It's equally important to note that without arts leaders forging ahead, our (limited) arts scene wouldn't be what it is today. For that, I am thankful.

A sense of community. Without it we're weak, and together, we can do more, and better. Not everyone will share the same vision, and that's OK. Countless arts organizations across the nation work together for mutually beneficial outcomes, and that in and of itself creates a safety net for what can be a perilous work climate for the arts. Strength in numbers, power in support, commUNITY. It's a beautiful thing to know people have your back, and empowering to have theirs. Pulse has been lucky to have the support of leading local arts organizations including the Anchorage Concert Association, Momentum Dance Collective, Underground Dance Company, Studio 49, and the University of Alaska. Together, we can build an environment that nurtures the art we care so passionately about, and together, we can continue growing.

The view. Well - the view's always great.

Pulse launched a Kickstarter campaign on September 20 for a restaging of Cinderella, and what has been most beautiful about the Kickstarter experience is the massive amount of support it has received, and not just financially. Our campaign has been shared nearly 900 times by donors and non-donors looking to make our project happen. That, if anything, is what it's all about: bringing people together, making art a viable possibility in Anchorage, and no matter the struggle, finding ways to make big things happen. Thanks for taking the journey with us.

Until next time, friends.

Stephanie Wonchala
Pulse Dance Company
Artistic Director/Choreographer