Every year the Rasmuson Foundation gives a group of Alaska artists a luxury they couldn't otherwise afford: time.

The recently awarded Individual Artist Grants, one of the foundation's many grant programs, reflect the larger mission of the foundation to promote a better life for Alaskans, and are specifically geared toward encouraging artists to take time to cultivate their art or move in a new direction.

"I'm very pleased that the foundation continues to invest in individual artists," said Victoria Lord, program officer with the foundation. "Its so important for the vitality of our communities."

The Individual Artists grants consist of one Distinguished Artist award, and an undetermined number of Artist Fellowships and Project Awards. This year's distinguished artist is Nathan Jackson, a carver from Ketchikan. Eight Alaskans received artist fellowships and 17 were granted project awards. Two of the eight fellowship recipients, Nick Jans and Anna Brown Ehlers, live in Juneau.

The selection process for Rasmuson grants is an intensive one, Lord said. The foundation brings together expert panels for each artistic discipline, asking them to review the applications and make a determination after intensive review and discussion. Lord said the experts are discipline-specific, and most are current or former artists who have gone into administration or curating.

"its an interesting process and we've been noted for a very fair process," she said.

The foundation has been through 10 rounds of applications so far, conferring awards bi-annually since 2004. The awards are now distributed only once a year.

The two Juneau artists really impressed the panels, Lord said.

For Anna Brown Ehlers' award, the panel made their judgment based on images of her work and a description of where she was headed. A Chilkat weaver, Ehlers is known for her innovative addition of gold thread, and is interested in incorporating other metals or techniques to her work, with the guidance of Native artists Richard Beasley and Nick Galanin, both of whom make jewelry. Lord said the panel was interested in the idea of combining a very traditional art form, Chilkat blanket weaving, with a more contemporary approach.

"She was moving outside her comfort zone and that was intriguing to the panel," Lord said.

Nick Jans, a well-known nonfiction writer, has plans to write a novel. In his case, the panel made their judgment based on writing samples.

"His work samples really demonstrated his ability to do that type of writing," Lord said. "The panel was pretty intrigued by his storytelling."

The fellowship awards, $12,000 each, are usually granted to established artists, and are geared toward encouraging new work or fostering creative exploration, whereas the project awards of up to $5,000 tend to be granted to emerging artists and are geared toward completion or exploration of a specific project. Distinguished Artist Awards, a $25,000 grant, recognize the contributions of an established artist.

Lord said the artistic disciplines for individual awards rotate on a two-year cycle. Next year grants will be awarded in the following categories: Media arts, multidiscipline/new genre, music composition and visual arts.

Lord said she feels Alaskans are lucky to be surrounded by so much talent.

"We are just so fortunate to have these amazing people doing this work - and sharing it," she said.