Northern Culture Exchange (NCE) was incorporated in 2012 to work as an umbrella organization for compatible Alaskan artists with creative ideas for art and education initiatives.

NCE offers non-profit partnership as well as a three - phase incubation program for creatives with great ideas and a strong indication of follow-through. Over the years, more than a dozen projects and initiatives have been incubated and developed by NCE, resulting in nearly a thousand cultural events for the community. In many cases, NCE programs eventually take wing to form non-profit organizations of their own.

Shared programming and management resources helps NCE programs and partners keep their costs low. NCE facilitates productive communication and idea sharing between peers. The result is a community of creatives with meaningful connections. Each participant program and also the art community as a whole enjoy more sustainable growth and impact this way.

Programs currently hosted by NCE's studio initiative at the Nave:

AKIMI - All Ages Music - Music Alaska - Music In The Wild - Spenard Jazz Fest 

Fiscal partners:

Alaska Electronic Orchestra - Girl Crush Friday - Place.ment

Northern Culture Exchange (NCE) 's studio office at The Nave is a place where NCE and affiliate creative planners can meet to share ideas, hatch plans, rent stage equipment, and brew an excellent cup of tea or coffee.

Yngvil Vatn Guttu (pictured in Studio 5 at The Nave) has been living in Alaska since 2002, producing theatre and music events and building community and networks on the arts scene. Yngvil has a Masters Degree in music from New York University and Bachelor Degrees in Theatre Arts (Bruford College, London UK) and Language Teaching (University in Bergen, Norway). She has toured extensively to major venues in Europe and North America with award winning productions. She  has released three solo albums as a composer/trumpet player ("On The Crosswalk" (2014) chartered for 7 weeks with CME in US & Canada) and is a featured producer/collaborator on countless other releases Her most recent collaboration is Niuget with Yupik culture bearer Marie Meade.
Yngvil is a two-time recipient of the Rasmuson Individual Artist Award, a Boochever Fellow, and she received national recognition as a "Jazz Hero" in 2022 (American Jazz Journalist Association). A popular performer, teacher, coach and keynote speaker, Yngvil's work with exceptional ability learners of all ages has earned her recognition and affection, as has her ongoing mentorship of students and colleagues. Yngvil has been a part of the online education movement since its beginning, teaching thousands of students worldwide. She creates media and educational content through her companies Khione Media and iNorsk, and collaborates with leading global innovators in online learning and creative community development.

Yngvil is the founding director of Spenard Jazz Fest (est 2008), podcast anchor for Amplify Alaska, contributing editor for the Music Alaska Blog and a senior advisor for Music Alaska. She is board trustee for Access Alaska, Alaska Jazz Workshop and Institute of the North. Yngvil strives to honor creativity, kindness and strength in all aspects of life.

Artist Photos by David Chapa at Cook Inlet Housing Authority; Project Logos courtesy of Northern Culture Exchange