Adam Kolton Alaska Storytelling Grant

Adam Kolton Alaska Storytelling Grant is sponsored by Alaska Wilderness League. Supports emerging writers, filmmakers, photographers, and digital storytellers whose work highlights Alaska’s landscapes, wildlife, and communities.

Adam Kolton Alaska Storytelling Grant Alaska Storytelling Grant Alaska Storytelling Grant The Adam Kolton Alaska Storytelling Grant, founded in 2022, honors the legacy of Alaska Wilderness League’s late executive director. Adam was a force for the protection of Alaska’s lands and waters – dedicating his career to fighting for conservation protections in Alaska and across the US.

His relationship with AWL and the environmental community spanned decades, reflecting a lifelong commitment to Alaska’s wild future. He led AWL from 2017 to 2021, bringing infectious strength and energy to Alaska conservation. Adam was deeply committed to Alaska’s Indigenous communities, whose rights and voices he consistently championed in his public advocacy.

At the heart of Adam’s advocacy was always story. To honor that, the League — with the generous support of Adam’s family, friends, and colleagues — has established an annual grant to support storytellers who bring Alaska’s wild lands, waters, wildlife, and communities to life.

This grant keeps Adam’s vision alive by uplifting voices rooted in Alaska’s wild places, amplifying Indigenous-led and locally grounded narratives, and helping share stories that inspire people to defend Alaska. Emerging writers, filmmakers, photographers, and digital storytellers whose work highlights Alaska’s landscapes, wildlife, and communities.

A one-time unrestricted award of $20,000 to support a creative project Collaboration opportunities with Alaska Wilderness League’s advocacy team to help share your work Submit a 500-word project proposal and sample work or portfolio Include a timeline, budget, and impact plan Deadline: August 23, 2026 Award announcement: November 2026 Questions? Email us at info@alaskawild. org or call 202-544-5205.

Caroline Van Hemert — 2025 Recipient of the Adam Kolton Alaska Storytelling Grant Elsa Sebastian – 2024 Recipient of the Adam Kolton Alaska Storytelling Grant Bjorn Olson — 2023 recipient of the Adam Kolton Alaska Storytelling Grant Polly Andrews — 2022 recipient of the Adam Kolton Alaska Storytelling Grant { headingWidth = $refs. heading. offsetWidth })" @resize.

window="headingWidth = $refs. heading. offsetWidth" class="text-left"> Protecting Alaska’s sacred, vast, and fragile lands and waters is our shared responsibility.

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