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Zuill Bailey, artistic director for the Juneau Jazz and Classics festival, performs on cello during the Juneau Maritime Festival on Saturday. JJAC is among the organizations receiving a termination notice Friday of funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

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Local arts and culture programs in crosshairs of latest cuts by Trump administration

Perseverance Theatre, music programs, public library’s statewide remote services hit by fund cancellations.

Phil Huebschen is departing as executive director of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council on May 14. (Juneau Arts and Humanities Council photo)

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Phil Huebschen stepping down after two years as head of Juneau Arts and Humanities Council

No reason stated for departure, which comes after JAHC faces DEI and funding pressure from Trump.

Works by artist Alec Dye will be featured at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center’s gallery as part of First Friday in May. (Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

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Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in May

A museum’s interactive exhibition featuring the works of a range of local performing artists, classical music performances at…

Flags fly outside the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, shortly before the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council’s 50-year anniversary celebration the same week. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

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Juneau Arts and Humanities Council bans DEI on ‘public facing documents’ due to funding threat

Executive director: No events cancelled, “racial equity” and other deleted website content being rewritten.

Art by Christine Kleinhenz of Tide Watcher will be featured at The Bear’s Lair as part of First Friday in April. (Juneau Arts and Humanities Council photo)

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Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in April

A poster tribute leading up to the 50th Alaska Folk Festival and composing spontaneous stories of 55 words…

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo A 1928 Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ in the atrium of the State Office Building is played by Christopher Nordwall on May 30, 2023, as he and Michael Ruppert work on restoring it to a condition suitable for public performances. The two tuners were only able to work on the organ during hours when the building was officially closed.

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Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in March

Performance and presentation on historic SOB organ, community exhibit at city museum among events.

Blank posts are seen where the two totem poles once stood at the Fred Meyer main entrance on Feb. 7, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

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Fred Meyer totem poles get a second chance at life

Tlingit master carver says they will be refurbished with tribal youth and repurposed.

A photo by Nicole Steger that’s part of her exhibit at the Juneau Artists Gallery is among the events featured during First Friday in February. (Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

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Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in February

First Friday for the shortest month of 2025 features performances from the second annual Juneau Jazz Fest, a…

Hosts and guests mingle at a fundraising brunch on behalf of the Alaska Cultural Trust at the Rie Muñoz Gallery on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

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Practicing the art of of seeking funds from lawmakers during a lean year at the Alaska State Capitol

Alaska Cultural Trust seeks $733,000 — $1 per resident — for grants it hopes to start awarding this…

Juneau-based qayaq (kayak) maker Lou Logan works on his exhibit that will be at the Alaska State Museum during First Friday in January. (Photo provided by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

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Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in January

A trio of ongoing exhibitions at the Alaska State Museum, an exhibit at Centennial Hall by Juneau Arts…

Jeff Campbell moves a Santa figurine into the front yard of his annual Christmas-themed holiday house on West 11th Street in the downtown neighborhood known as The Flats on Thursday, Nov. 28. Campbell begins the decorating after removing Halloween fare and usually turns on the lights in December. Campbell has created this masterpiece annually for over 30 years. Besides Santas, the display includes candy canes, drummer boys, nativity scenes, reindeer and Disney and Winnie the Pooh characters and some of his own creations. He also has thousands of lights and speakers wired to play Christmas music and his electricity bill doubles over the display’s longevity. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

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An icebreaker, a world-premiere play, a new ski season and holiday events galore arriving at week’s end

Gallery Walk, landmark anniversary for “Nutcracker,” Mexican holy feast day among seasonal celebrations.

A profile of a South African model is seen on the surface of Sandy Beach on Nov 18. (Photo by Elliot Welch shared by Juneau Parks and Recreation)

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So…who is that woman that’s been stretched out on Sandy Beach all month?

Artist Blake Byers uses nearby rocks to depict South African model as part of “exhibit” of people on…

A bear/landscape painting is among the works by Liyuan (Sunny) Zhang that will be exhibited at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum as part of First Friday in November. (Photo provided by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

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Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in November

The penultimate First Friday of 2024 features a variety of art and photography exhibits highlighting Alaska’s nature, plus…

The Alaska State Museum is seen in the fall sun on Wednesday. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

News

Grant increases museum access for Alaska Native artists and culture bearers

The Access to Alaska Native Collections grant is part of a broader movement.

Ceramics by Uliana from BeWilder Creative will be featured at The Pottery Jungle during First Friday in October. (Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

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Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in October

Cardboard heads, a new Pride robe and a sendoff for retiring local bead artist among activities.

A painting by Marty Sharp, whose works will be exhibited at the Juneau Artists Gallery as part of First Friday in September. (Photo courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

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Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in September

Art exhibits, artists’ market, singer from Iceland and opening of new Perseverance play scheduled.

A painting by Juneau artist Timi Johnson’s that’s part of his “Fugitive” exhibit that will be on display at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center during First Friday in August. (Image courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

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Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in August

A wide range of artists from traditional Tlingit to self-taught modern, featuring creations ranging from ballpoint pen images…

An image from “Splash Photography” by Bing Carrillo is scheduled to be displayed during at event at Centennial Hall as part of First Friday in July. (Photo courtesy of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council)

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Here’s what’s happening for First Friday in July

People looking for more quaint leisure activities following the explosive happenings of the Fourth of July will have…

Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire Kaylie Simpson poses with a turkey leg from V’s Cellar Door at the Master’s Faire on Saturday.

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A musical Master’s Faire invites all of Juneau to dress up

Musicians “crashing” local renaissance faire a welcome addition as the event continues to grow.

This Woodworm Grease Bowl by artist Patrizia (Patty) Fiorella is among the works accepted into Sealaska Heritage Institute’s 2024 Juried Art Show and Competition as part of First Friday and Celebration. (Brian Wallace / Courtesy of Sealaska Heritage Institute)

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Here’s what happening for First Friday in June

Art events affiliated with Celebration, skateboarding and pro-choice activism among activities.