Contact: Jeff Clarke
State arts leader joins Foundation staff
Anchorage - Victoria Lord, former Senior Curator of Programs for the Ketchikan Museum, has joined the Rasmuson Foundation as a Program Associate. She brings a wealth of experience to her new role, focusing on the programs created through the Foundation’s recently announced 10 year, $20 million Arts & Culture Initiative. “Our Board made a series of significant commitments over the past two years designed to strengthen the arts in Alaska. We are pleased to have Victoria's deep knowledge of the state arts community and considerable program expertise to ensure the Initiative’s long-term success”, commented Foundation President Diane Kaplan.
During her nearly 7-year tenure at the Ketchikan Museum, Lord was responsible for Museum programs, workshops, special events, publications and educational activities and worked extensively with Northwest Coast artists. Previously, she served as Executive Director for the Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council for 11 years, bringing the Governor’s Arts Award, 100 Best Small Art Town, and Music Stand Community Arts Award designations to Ketchikan. She is the co-chair of the Alaska Culture Centers Consortium and has served as a panelist for state and national funders. Victoria has a BFA in Studio Art and Art History from California State University, and was an Arts Administrator Fellow with the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Rasmuson Foundation was created under a declaration of trust in May of 1955 by Jenny Rasmuson to honor her late husband, "E.A." Rasmuson. Their son Elmer wrote, "Helping others is an Alaskan tradition. Both the earliest Alaskans and those who came here to settle had to rely on one another to build a good community and a good life." Today, the Rasmuson Foundation continues this tradition by supporting non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for people throughout the state. By assisting these groups that address basic needs, arts and culture, and projects that address special circumstances, the Rasmuson Foundation contributes to healthy, enriched and productive lives for Alaskans of all ages.
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