My Missoula: Arts Missoula
Arts Missoula is a local arts agency with the mission of connecting art, culture, and community through education, advocacy, and celebration. We have a wide range of programs that span from enhancing arts education in the schools, administering the City’s Public Art Committee, cultural competency training, cultural and arts based festivals and events, fiscally sponsoring arts based organizations on their path to non-profit status, to advocating for the arts and studying the economic impact of the arts in our community. It’s a lot to pack in to one paragraph in a newsletter, but we’re looking forward to a shiny new website where you can learn all about us and get what you need done. In the meantime I encourage you to visit our current site, drop us a line, or stop by the office to get better acquainted with how we’re serving Missoula. And don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re downtown and looking to get involved in the First Friday art walk.
How long have you been in business?
Arts Missoula was founded in 1991 to serve as Montana’s first officially designated local arts agency.
Why did you choose to locate your organization downtown?
Being located downtown is extremely convenient when it comes time to produce our annual New Year’s Eve festival – First Night Missoula – which takes over several downtown venues, but being in the Heart of Missoula is also a great way to stay connected and engaged with city and cultural leaders.
What are your favorite Missoula downtown patio spots and why?
I can’t speak for everyone in the office, but I love heading to the Clark Fork Market with the family, stopping in to Lake Missoula Tea Company to warm up, then taking the kids to the Missoula Art Museum’s free Saturday family workshops. If I’m on my own though, I might just head straight to Fact & Fiction, find a good book, and take my time reading it at Bayern Brewery or the KettleHouse.