A Homer resident will be one of nine Alaskans to receive a 2019 Governor’s Arts and Humanities Award. The governor and other arts and culture organizations will honor Nita Yurrliq Rearden with the Arts Education Award for her long-standing dedication and impact. She worked in many positions at the Lower Kuskokwim School District in Bethel including as a classroom teacher and bilingual teacher. She also translated traditional Yu’pik culture activities into exercises and art projects.
Rearden was raised in the village of Kotlik in a traditional Yu’pik home. She moved to Homer in 2009 and continues to work in art education. She serves on the board of the Alaska Arts Education Consortium, teaches in summer arts institutes, leads workshops, and assists with the Alaska State Council on the Arts efforts such as the recent alignment of new arts standards with Alaska Cultural Standards.
The Governor Arts and Humanities award is a partnership between the governor’s office, the Alaska Humanities Forum, the Alaska State Council on the Arts and the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation.
The governor is also honoring other artists and educators as well as journalists, a producer and a regional commission. There will a celebration for award recipients in Juneau on Feb. 7.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated where Rodean was raised. She was raised in the village of Kotlik.
