Looks like the plates will pay for themselves.
https://www.adn.com/arts/2017/03/02/you-could-design-alaskas-next-license-plate/
“The "Artistic License" plates will cost $50. After the Division of Motor Vehicles recoups its administrative costs, the rest of the money will go to the council, Kreiss-Tomkins said.A set of two license plates costs the DMV $17.18 to produce, said director Marla Thompson, along with a one-time $250 production fee.That leaves almost $33 for each vehicle for the Council on the Arts.”