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Pacific Island Youth Culture Connection Program

Polynesian Association of Alaska
  • City: Anchorage
  • Region: Southcentral
  • State House District: 13 - Anchorage
  • State Sentate District: G - Anchorage
  • Grantee Type: Community Service Organization
  • Grantee Discipline: Non-Arts/Non-Humanities
  • NEA Outcomes: Learning
  • Project Discipline: Multidisciplinary
  • Activity Type: Arts Instruction
  • Grant Award Amount: $10000
  • Project In-Kind Contribution: $0
  • Grant Year: 2022
  • Grant Gategory: Youth Cultural Heritage Project Grants
  • Fund Source 1: Private Foundation - Rasmuson Foundation
  • HAYC Goals: Alaskans Participate in the Arts and Cultures of our State
  • ASCA Goals: Enable all Alaskans to lead expressive lives
  • ASCA Objectives: Promote the importance and value of creativity for all.
A group of children, youth and adults stand and sit in rows together, wearing polynesian attire identifying them as a dance group.
Image of a youth dance group celebrating Polynesian culture and arts. Image courtesy of Polynesian Association of Alaska.

Project Description

This funding supported connecting youth with their culture through working together with their parents, and community leaders. Activities included hosting a Color My Mind gathering for youth, with painting to reflect Pacific Island culture, teaching students and youth how to make leis, weaving, and arts and crafts. Students were able to take photos and share stories about the meaning of each photo and why they feel its importance to their project. Another project activity involved celebrating youth through the Pacific Island Gala. Partners included the Anchorage Museum Association, Tongan Association of Alaska, Assembly of God Church, Anchorage Senior Center, Anchorage Loussac Library, Ladies of the Pacific Dance Academy, Ali’iAloha Dance Company, and Anchorage Downtown Partnership.

Impact

We see the positive impact to diverse communities as they learn through each project through the year, and they are looking forward to next year's activities. We hope that our Alaskans can see the important of arts and culture practices in the lives of our youth and also our diverse families in Alaska. It is a visual, mental, and physical learning process and experience for our youth that will provide them with respect for other cultures as well. We hope that we in Alaska can continue to provide access to funding for such important community culture projects.