The Bear Gallery - Fairbanks Arts Association

The Bear Gallery, housed within the Centennial Center for the Arts at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks, serves as the central visual arts space of the Fairbanks Arts Association. As the oldest community arts council in Alaska, Fairbanks Arts plays a vital role in supporting the region’s rich artistic landscape, with the Bear Gallery acting as a hub for both contemporary and traditional arts in the Interior.

Each month, the gallery showcases rotating exhibitions that highlight the depth and diversity of Alaskan talent. From established artists to emerging voices, the space offers an inclusive platform for creative expression across a variety of mediums. The Bear Gallery is more than a place to view art—it is a dynamic environment where artists and audiences connect, ideas are exchanged, and the creative spirit is nurtured.

Fairbanks Arts Association extends its mission beyond the gallery walls through programming in literary, performing, and visual arts, as well as arts education. This work is shaped in collaboration with dedicated volunteer advisory committees and aims to foster a deeper appreciation of the arts throughout the community.

The organization also recognizes the importance of place. Situated on the ancestral and unceded lands of the lower Tanana Dene Peoples, Fairbanks Arts acknowledges the enduring relationships Indigenous communities have with the land. This awareness informs their ongoing efforts to build community through the arts with respect, inclusivity, and a commitment to reflection and learning.

Whether through exhibitions, community workshops, or youth programs, the Bear Gallery continues to be a welcoming space where creativity flourishes. It stands as a testament to the power of the arts in enriching lives and strengthening the cultural fabric of Fairbanks and the wider Alaskan Interior.