The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About04-16-26 Correspondence - MT Arts Council - ARTeries_ News from the Montana Arts Council for Mid April 2026From:Montana Arts CouncilTo:Bozeman Public CommentSubject:[EXTERNAL]ARTeries: News from the Montana Arts Council for Mid April 2026Date:Thursday, April 16, 2026 4:14:24 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. The latest from Montana's state arts agency ARTeries - The Lifeblood of Arts In Montana White Divider Richard Littlebear, wearing eyeglasses and red open-collared shirt Dr. Richard Littlebear (Northern Cheyenne), former president of Chief Dull Knife College, is one of the featured poets reading in the “Birthright” collection, available on the Montana OPI’s Youtube channel. How does poetry relate to me? “There’s poetry in everything, Holmes,” a magazine editor once called to tell me. “Switch on the TV and get watching World Series baseball.” I learned, from Montana poet Joe McGeshick, that the word poem itself derives from the Greek word poiein, which means “to make.” I learned this from the fabulous Birthright: Born to Poetry—A Collection of Montana Indian Poetry, a pdf published by the Montana Office of Public Instruction in 2013 and available here FOR FREE, if you can believe it. It’s accompanied by videos of the poets reading their work. You can also get writing prompts to inspire your own poems. This—not surface stripping and mine tailings—is why Montana is the Treasure State. Go mining for some beauty today. Krys Holmes Executive Director krys.holmes@mt.gov Poetry Out Loud Ellette Whitcomb, smiling, with long brown curly hair and wearing a tan knit top Each year, the Poetry Out Loud National Finals gathers some of the most dedicated young voices in the country. Participants arrive carrying not only their chosen texts, but also the quiet labor behind them: hours of memorization, interpretation, and rehearsal. In a time when attention is often fragmented, these students demonstrate a remarkable commitment to deep listening—both to the poem and to themselves. This year, Montana will be represented at Nationals by Ellette Whitcomb, whose journey to the stage reflects the strength and vitality of arts education across the state. Her presence is a reminder that powerful voices emerge from every corner— rural and urban alike—and that poetry continues to be a space where young people can explore identity, empathy, and expression. Watch Ellette compete via the Poetry Out Loud live stream, taking place on April 28 and 29 in Washington, D.C. Find the schedule and link to view here: Arts.gov/Poetry-Out-Loud. To learn more about Ellette and the Poetry Out Loud Finals, visit art.mt.gov/polfinals2026. Spotlight Every time we drive past Jim Dolan’s public art piece off Hwy 287, “Bleu Horses,” we’re thankful for the beauty, grace, and joy art can bring into our lives. Jim was a 2024 recipient of the Governor’s Arts Award for his widespread impact on the art landscape of Montana. Governor’s Arts Award: We all have our favorite artists and arts leaders. Then there are those whose contributions to Montana’s creative landscape have had a wide influence, a deep impact, or have left a lasting legacy. Those are the people who qualify for the Governor’s Arts Awards, presented every two years. Nominations for the 2026 awards are open now, until April 30th. Awards are based on achievement, artistic excellence, dedication to Montana, ongoing contributions to the cultural community, and worthiness of recognition. Before you nominate someone, go here to learn what’s needed. Email Kristin Han Burgoyne, kburgoyne@mt.gov, with questions. Make A Nomination For Artists A pair of hands, painted white, clasp together in front of out-of-focus heart-shaped lights The Artists Thrive “Communicating and Connecting” page is full of tools for touring, building a fan base, communicating about your art, and more. All of it free at ArtistsThrive.org—a vital partner of the Montana Arts Council. Artists Thrive: Monthly Meet-ups Whether you attended the Artists Thrive Summit or not, you can still sign up for monthly meet-ups to gain professional development skills and build community around your work. Artists Thrive Monthly Meet-ups are the 3rd Tuesday of each month, 1:00-2:00 MT (online). First session, Tuesday April 21st, is “Activate Your Creative Courage,” led by Naomi Vladeck of Creativity Matters Coaching. The meet-ups are free, but you must register here. If courage isn’t your focus, stay tuned for later offerings. Meanwhile go to Artists Thrive’s resource page to see what other free resources they offer. You can be creative and profitable at the same time. In fact, MAC encourages it. Organize your art career We gave away a few copies of this book at the Artists Thrive convening last month, but we’re betting your local bookstore could order you one. The Profitable Artist (2nd edition) provides best practices for planning and organizing your art career: budgeting, fundraising, marketing, digital strategies, legal stuff, and more. $24.95 retail, but you can get it for $20 from New York Foundation for the Arts, here. Learn about A-Corps The Colorado legislature is considering allowing Artist Corporations, or A-Corps, as an alternative to an LLC. According to this article, an A-Corp is a legal framework with specific guidelines designed to make incorporating easier for artists. Colorado is leading the way, but maybe Montana artists should be thinking about it too. Opportunity: Big Sky Artisan Festival The Arts Council of Big Sky seeks vendors for its July 18 Artisan Festival. Artists must be willing to pay 4% resort tax from your sales. Application fee: $25. Deadline: May 22. Go here for more info. Opportunity: Sculpture Missoula Sculpture Missoula is seeking five new sculptures for installation in our sculpture garden in Missoula’s most beloved 15‑acre riverside park—a place where art, nature, and community meet. This multi‑year program is building a dynamic collection: five works were installed in 2025, five more will debut this year, with another five in 2027 and beyond. Deadline May 22. Learn more and apply through CaFé here. Or go to Sculpturemissoula.org to see the 2025 installations. People wander through open lane between vendor tents under trees. The 49th Annual Bozeman Sweet Pea Festival: It’s an art show, a parade, a concert venue, and a celebration of life and creativity. Photo from Mooseradio.com Opportunity: Sweet Pea Festival Bozeman’s famous Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts invites Montana artists to apply to their Juried Art Show, scheduled July 1 – Aug 28 in downtown Bozeman. Application deadline: June 3. Entry fee: $35. Learn more and apply through CaFé here. For Arts Organizations List your events with VisitMT.com—much improved, easy to use, and the state invests a lot of money driving attention to your event and your organization. It’s an asset you can use. Free marketing help If you’re not taking advantage of VisitMT.com’s robust event marketing muscle, you’re missing out. You can list your events free in their much-improved, user-friendly events calendar, backed by high-budget marketing and social media support. List your events here. Get in the habit of it! Folk Arts Grant for Montana arts centers Does your arts center support folk arts, cultural practices, or traditional arts? Creative West is now offering a Living Traditions Grant to support cultural practices rooted in community life. This grant program supports projects that honor, share, teach, and transmit these traditions in ways that strengthen community bonds, foster intergenerational connection, and expand access to cultural expression. One grant per state, up to $1,000—and they’re specifically hoping to grant in Montana. Deadline: June 30 or when funds are spent. Learn more and apply here. Folk Arts Grant for Montana arts centers Does your arts center support folk arts, cultural practices, or traditional arts? Creative West is now offering a Living Traditions Grant to support cultural practices rooted in community life. This grant program supports projects that honor, share, teach, and transmit these traditions in ways that strengthen community bonds, foster intergenerational connection, and expand access to cultural expression. One grant per state, up to $1,000—and they’re specifically hoping to grant in Montana. Deadline: June 30 or when funds are spent. Learn more and apply here. The Houston Art Car Parade has grown into a huge celebration of cars, of people, of creativity, and of the community-building joy of imagination. More than 300,000 people attended last weekend—maybe more than we want descending on a Montana town, but you get the idea. Fun idea for a Montana town: Houston, TX just hosted their annual Art Car Parade, a downtown celebration of cars, creativity, and community. It’s been the largest gathering of art on wheels in the world. “A lot of art is just gluing stuff to other things and seeing what happens,” a 2024 participant said. “You can make a lot of stuff out of Styrofoam and spray paint.” It’s put on by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. What a great idea to steal, in case anyone who loves cars and art is listening. Get inspired. Feeling discouraged about the relentless labor, against mighty headwinds, to bring art to your community? We recently participated in the UM’s Democracy Summit, in a session called “Art as a Pillar of Democracy.” We got to revisit the iconic speech by President John F. Kennedy about the importance of art in a thriving democracy. Watch it here, and be inspired. “After the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we too will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit,” Kennedy said. Revisit that moment, and be fed. JFK's Iconic Speech on Arts and Politics (1962) | The Kennedy Center Two Great Ways to Promote Your Arts Event! Need to get the word out about your upcoming arts event? A pair of robust, online— and free—events calendars offer outstanding exposure and reach for artists' and organizations' events in the coming year. Get your events in today! Lively Times text logo Livelytimes.com Click on “Submit an Event” in the upper right corner. Montana state tourism text logo VisitMT.com/events Scroll bottom, and click on: “Add your event to our calendar here.” White Divider A series of three recent State of the Arts front pages Do you receive the State of the Arts Newspaper? New issue fresh off the stands! State of the Arts is free, statewide, and fun to read. You can subscribe here to get one in your mailbox. Subscribe Now! Cool Quotes “Art knows no national boundaries. Genius can speak in any tongue, and the entire world will hear it, and listen.” President John F. Kennedy, Nov. 29, 1962. Rectangular horizontal shape in red-purple color Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe All | Help Montana Arts Council | 830 N. Warren Street | Helena, MT 59601 | art.mt.gov This email was sent to comments@bozeman.net using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: MontanaArts Council