Nicholas Galanin, a powerhouse of multidisciplinary art and cultural reclamation, just snagged the 2024 Don Tyson Prize, a prestigious $200,000 nod from the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. It’s an accolade as massive as the ideas Galanin wrangles—disruption, identity, land, and the reclamation of Indigenous narratives.

Born and rooted in Sitka, Alaska, Galanin carries the rich Tlingit-Unangax̂ lineage, learning traditional carving and jewelry-making from his father and grandfather. But don’t think for a second that tradition defines his limits—it’s merely the launchpad. Galanin’s works bridge the timeless and the contemporary, blending ancestral practices with razor-sharp critiques of colonialism. He’s like a surgeon with a scalpel and a poet with fire, reshaping how we perceive Indigenous art and American history.

It’s an honor, to disrupt colonial frameworks while celebrating Indigenous creativity.

– Galanin says.

His art does more than hang on walls; it sparks dialogue, reclaims stolen narratives, and maps a future where culture, land, and identity aren’t just protected but fiercely celebrated.

The prize, inaugurated in 2016, celebrates visionaries who redefine American art. Past winners include Deborah Willis, Vanessa German, and Project Row Houses—a shortlist of art-world disruptors who don’t just make things but move the needle on what art can be.

Crystal Bridges isn’t just handing over a check—they’ve also acquired two of Galanin’s works and were gifted a third. Smart move. This is an artist whose pieces feel alive, whether they’re casting shadows of colonial ghosts or radiating the vibrant pulse of Indigenous resistance.

So, why does this matter? Because Galanin isn’t just making art—he’s rewriting the script of who gets to tell America’s stories. And with $200,000 fueling his next moves, the stories are only going to get louder, sharper, and impossible to ignore.

Keep your eyes on this one. Nicholas Galanin isn’t just winning awards—he’s changing the game.