Sitka Fine Arts Camp reaches for its dream of returning home to the National Historic Landmark Sheldon Jackson Campus!
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Please help us in our goal to restore and maintain the Sheldon Jackson Campus.
Since the founding of Sheldon Jackson College in 1878, it has been used to provide a type of education to which its students might not have access otherwise. The Sitka Fine Arts Camp intends to continue this story by providing, as it always has, a quality arts education to children from all parts of Alaska and throughout the country.
History of the Campus
(information taken from the SEDA website)
Sheldon Jackson College was founded in 1878 as an Industrial and Training School for Alaska natives. In 1911, the main campus buildings were erected, and the training school became Sheldon Jackson School. The school was changed to a junior college in 1944, and it was inaugurated as a four-year college in 1967. Students came to the college from all over Alaska.
SJC was considered the birthplace of the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood, powerful organizations that were critical in securing Native land claims. Some of the state’s most noted civil rights leaders, clergy, educators and politicians are among its graduates.
In 1972 it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places; and in 2001 was designated a National Historic Landmark.
The college was closed in 2007 due to declining enrollment.
On February 1, 2011 ownership of the campus was transferred to the Sitka Fine Arts Camp. With incredible community support, SFAC staff and volunteers have been working hard to prepare the campus to host students this coming summer.
We need your help to make this happen!
How You Can Get Involved
Give Time
This dream is made possible by the incredible effort made by volunteers.
We need volunteers of every type: to prep and paint rooms, to help organize materials and equipment, to address plumbing and electrical work in the buildings, to take photos, to keep up morale and feed the workforce, etc.
If you have expertise you can offer, or are interested in getting involved please contact Wendy at 752-0246 or sfacwendy@yahoo.com
Give Materials
In-kind donations are greatly appreciated. We are especially in need of:
• Building Materials
Give Money
We need to raise $500,000 before June to respond to the immediate needs of the campus. We believe this is an incredible story and want you to feel a part of it. Please feel invited to donate in the amount that will feel significant for you.
Checks can be made out to Sitka Fine Arts Camp, P.O. Box 3086, Sitka, AK 99835
We are excited to see this dream taking more shape each day and appreciate anything you do to be involved!
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