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Home My WebLink About06-26-26 Correspondence - Montana Arts Council - ARTeries_ News from the Montana Arts Council for Late June 2026From:Montana Arts CouncilTo:Bozeman Public CommentSubject:[EXTERNAL]ARTeries: News from the Montana Arts Council for Late June 2026Date:Friday, June 26, 2026 8:11:36 AM 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 America 250 logo with "250" in the shape of a red-white-and-blue ribbon Be the revolution It’s America’s birthday, and a plethora of news stories are emerging about little-known people who quietly contributed juice and momentum to the American Revolution. The folks behind the Sheffield Declaration, precursor to the Declaration of Independence; young soldiers who slogged through the Revolutionary War and its horrors; “Good Peter” Agwalongdongwas, an Oneida leader who allied with the revolutionaries hoping to secure a strong political partnership for his people. Everyday people called to respond to the moment with their whole selves. Each new day is a revolution of sorts, and we creatives are called to respond to it with our whole selves—not in fame-seeking or spectacular ways, usually, but in our humble actions of creation, of hope, of faith in each other. At heart, the Declaration of Independence is a manifesto of human dignity, declaring (imperfectly) the inherent dignity and worth of every person. We know—from current experience, don’t we?— the opposite of dignity is contempt. In a world that tosses contempt around like landmines, let the artists foment a revolution of human dignity. May your work—as creatives, as leaders—foster dignity within and among us all. Let’s be the humble workers in that revolution. Krys Holmes Executive Director krys.holmes@mt.gov Ledger art by Red Cloud; detail from National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution, "Warriors charging U.S. soldiers at Battle of Little Bighorn," Folder 4 (2367A_08568800) No discussion of American independence can ignore the history of North America's first peoples and their ongoing contributions to this place we call Montana. Today marks the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Greasy Grass, known to most as the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Among the earliest and most accurate depictions of the battle come in the form of drawings made by Lakota chief Red Horse a few years later, and they accompany oral histories preserved by the victors in that conflict. Author Joseph Shelton describes one such account in this Distinctly Montana essay, detailing the bravery and sacrifice of that day in 1876. News Apply Now Want to help select Cultural & Aesthetic projects? We’re recruiting new members to the Cultural and Aesthetic Project Advisory Committee, a statewide panel that reviews Cultural Trust grant applications and forwards its recommendations to the legislature. It’s a 4-year term, which includes reviewing up to 100 grant applications and attending a two-day panel meeting every other year. We’re seeking a broad range of professional arts and culture expertise, and also geographic and demographic balance. Interested? Please email a letter of interest and a resume or bio to Kristin Han Burgoyne at kburgoyne@mt.gov by July 24th, 2026. Apply for Cultural and Aesthetic Grants Now! Speaking of Cultural and Aesthetic grants, now is the time to apply. If you have a project that furthers Montana’s rich cultural heritage, a C&A grant can support your work. These grants are funded by income from the Montana Coal Trust, established to return a portion of the value of our natural resources to the people of Montana through a multitude of grants and programs. For application details, visit https://art.mt.gov/ca, but don’t wait: deadline is August 1st. Work for MAC Come work with us! MAC is hiring an Office Manager and Executive Assistant to serve as the operational backbone of our small, dynamic team. This position will champion efficiency across our agency, managing vital workflows for grants, programming, accounting, and general office functions, while providing direct executive support to our Executive Director. Job description and application here. Apply now! Sophia Mathis paints a mural on a Rodney Street building in Helena. Log in to the quick survey now to support U of M’s research into the socio-economic impact of arts and culture in Montana communities. Art builds communities from the ground up. Tell us how. Last chance to contribute to a study measuring the impact and value of arts and culture in towns across Montana. This study is part of a collaboration between MAC and the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research (ITRR) at the University of Montana. Please take their survey to help policymakers, funders, and community partners better recognize and strengthen the role of arts and culture in Montana. It takes about 10 minutes (you do have to create an account) and is 100% confidential. Take the Survey Spotlight The 2026 Art Works cohort of artists recently wrapped up an intensive series of in- person and virtual professional development workshops. Over the next several ARTeries issues, we’ll be highlighting Art Works participants. This is an exceptionally committed and talented group of artists. We’re excited to introduce them to you, in their own words. Carol Remington Carol’s love for natural fiber stems from her deep appreciation for Montana’s prairie and her strong ties to her family’s Montana sheep ranching heritage. The transformation of raw wool into one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories is a gentle, contemplative process that reflects a more relaxed, peaceful lifestyle. From washing the fleece to carding, dyeing, spinning it into yarn, and finally weaving it into a garment, each stage is a reflection of her unwavering dedication and passion for natural fiber. Carol is eager to share the health advantages of natural fibers with everyone and inspire us to cherish the clothing we wear. A blue-green knit wool wrap A beautifully colored Janet Remington woven wool scarf. Website: grandpaaustinsfarm.com | Instagram: @threebagsfull_mt Emory Padgett Emory is a Montana photographer inspired by the abundant generosity of the Earth– by its metamorphoses and cycles that are both perpetual and fleeting and how a picture can immortalize a moment. In his art, Emory works in tandem with nature to create portraits brimming with beauty, vibrance, and mystery; inviting viewers to marvel at the living power and moods of the land and its creatures. Beyond the Earth, he is transfixed by the moon’s pearly glow and its gravitational tie to us all. As a carpenter, Emory creates natural wood frames to complement his imagery, further grounding the work and evoking the centrality of place. Grainy black-and-white photo of silhouetted birds in flight. A photograph by Emory Padgett. Website: www.owlflowers.com | Instagram: @owl.flowers Janet Rawlings Janet Rawlings, smiling with short blonde hair, eyeglasses, and peach colored jacket Janet Rawlings is a professional, self-taught, award-winning fine artist who has had a love for creating art throughout her life. She is inspired by her deep love for the beauty of Montana life. Working in Soft Pastels, she paints the region’s horses, cattle, and sweeping plein air vistas that reflect both the quiet beauty and working spirit of the land. Her work emphasizes careful observation, strong draftsmanship, and the sense of serenity we are surrounded by. "Prairie Path," by Janet Rawlins. Website: www.rawlingsfineart.com | Instagram: @rawlingsfineart For Artists About 18% of US adults qualify as practicing artists, according to an important new study by the University of Chicago. About 62% of them qualify as “current professional,” 42% as teaching artists, 41% as students, and 30% as culture bearers. About 30% of artists can spend more than 20 hours per week on their art; most of them have to hold down 1-2 jobs (and 15% have 3-4 jobs!)—mostly in arts-related occupations. And artists give back. More than 46% of artists donated time or art, compared to 28% of the US population as a whole. The big picture: All our communities are packed with creative people, and the professional working artists among us contribute more, and give back more, than most people realize. Download the full report here. For Arts Organizations Be a creative force in your community Have you heard of Community Benefit Agreements? They’re a tool rural communities are using to help secure and define a positive future. As rural towns are considering new develoments, data centers, and other forces that will impact their future, some are turning to these agreements to help them navigate change. The Rural Assembly hosted a virtual discussion, which you can watch here. News Creative West Logo, with pink, teal, green, and orange interlocking loops Creative West Opportunities Portal Creative West just launched a new portal that makes grant and program opportunities more clearly available to artists and arts organizations. Their new platform makes it easier to search for artist calls, grants, festivals, and other programs. Check it out here. Coming up June 30th: TourWest grant deadline for performing arts presenters. This year it’s a competitive grant program (not formula-funded) so spiff up your app and get it in soon. Visitors view Modernist paintings in the Montana Historical Society's Heritage Center. Make history Montana History Fest is this weekend, hosted by our powerhouse sister agency, the Montana Historical Society. Concerts, tours, workshops, panels, and fun activities for all—most activities free. See the full schedule here. Good Things White Divider A series of three recent State of the Arts front pages Do you receive the State of the Arts Newspaper? 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 There are no rules. That is how art is born, how breakthroughs happen. Go against the rules or ignore the rules. That is what invention is about. —Helen Frankenthaler 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