Since its inception in 1989, the Arts Council of Big Sky has been Big Sky’s premier non-profit cultural organization, striving to create an art-centric community through artistic events, cultural outreach, public art, and educational initiatives. Learn more about how we impact our community from our latest impact report.
Each year the Arts Council of Big Sky brings a culturally rich artist to Big Sky for a multi-day residence in collaboration with the Big Sky School District. During their time at school, the artist works with a partner teacher to deliver two days of workshops that aim to help students build a deeper, authentic understanding of diverse cultures through the arts.
This year’s Artist in Residence is World Champion Hoop Dancer Jasmine Pickner Bell, or Cunku Was’te Win’, meaning “Good Road Woman,” in Dakota. A member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe (also known as Hunkpati Oyate), Jasmine is the first woman to hold the hoop dancing Champion title. Jasmine realized her calling when tragedy struck and her brother, also a talented hoop dancer, was killed in a car accident. In honor of his life, she trained and performed in his place at the World Championship Hoop Dance Competition. She won, becoming the first woman to hold the title and compete in a dress (up until that point, many female hoop dancers still performed in traditional male attire). The following year she defended her title. And now she is proud to say, more women have entered the field and wear their traditional dress, not men’s attire.
The hoop dance has been described as the renewal of the collective human spirit. It is a dance of healing, connectedness, and prayer. Even though Jasmine is in constant spinning motion while she dances, she never finds herself dizzy because she is aligned with a higher purpose. As she’s passing each hoop through her body, she says, “Your prayers are being connected and lifted up. You’re not only telling a story through the designs of the hoop dance, but you’re also praying and healing the people who are in need at that time.”
For the school workshops, Jasmine will be collaborating with 9th and 10th graders in Kate Riley and Jeremy Harder’s classes. Education is central to her mission. From teaching kids and ensuring native traditions are not lost in today’s society, to bringing her audience on stage with her after her performances, she loves to share the hoop dance with everyone. As Jasmine says, “When you get done hoop dancing with me, you’re going to feel better. You’re going to go home and have a story to tell. You’re going to be able to share that story with your friends and family.”
In addition to the educational workshops there will be an in-school performance and a free, public performance at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, December 6, at 7:30 p.m. Please join us in celebrating this inspirational and important artform.
BIG SKY, MT – OCT 2023. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
No Man’s Land Film Festival (NMLFF), the premier adventure film festival for women and gender non-conforming athletes and storytellers, announces its 2023 World Tour succeeding its 8th Annual Flagship Film Festival. Presented by Mountain Hardwear with additional support from Black Diamond, NMLFF World Tour showcases 8 unique film programs and over 95 films.
“We are not your average film festival,” says Executive Director, Kathy Karlo. “While we hold firm to some mainstream elements, the stories we share embody a radical vision of hope and change - requiring an innovative format. Through the films presented, panel discussions, artist exhibits and musical guests, our 2023 lineup encourages a reexamination of how we manifest our personal culture within various communities. We recognize that a vital step to cultivating change is telling your story, which is a deeply vulnerable labor of love. Therefore, at all of our events and across the digital landscape, we aim to facilitate a container that is both ripe with inspiration and supportive to the process.”
Founded in 2015, NMLFF is an international voice for the underrepresented global majority - shaping an inclusive space in adventure, sport and film, while actively investing in BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Prioritizing equitable accessibility, NMLFF offers closed-captioning on all film programming. Despite the name, No Man’s Land encourages everyone to attend.
2023 EVENT INFORMATION:
Date: November 28, 2023 | Doors 6:30 p.m. | Showtime 7:00 p.m.
Location: Big Sky Waypoint | 50 Ousel Falls Rd., Big Sky, MT 59716
Admission: Tickets $10
Hosted By: Arts Council of Big Sky
Tickets & More Information: https://bigskyarts.org/events/no-mans-land-film-festival-2023
The Arts Council of Big Sky is proud to present the 26th annual Madrigal Dinner, slated for Monday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. in the Missouri Ballroom at Big Sky Resort. This event is considered by many as the traditional opening of the holiday season and is one of the highlights for the Big Sky community. The event is a joint production between the Arts Council and the Montana State University School of Music.
Tickets for the Madrigal Dinner can be purchased in advance for $80 per person, which includes a fantastic three-course dinner prepared by the chefs at Big Sky Resort, as well as festive music from the Montanans, the MSU Brass Quintet and Voices Luminis (ssaa). Please visit click here, to purchase tickets online. The event is usually sold out so tickets are by advanced online reservation only.
“The Madrigal dinner has become a Big Sky tradition since we started it more than 25 years ago,” said Arts Council Executive Director Brian Hurlbut. “We’re excited for a new venue this year, but of course all of the popular aspects of the event will remain.”
The evening begins with a no-host bar at 5 p.m., followed by seating for the dinner promptly at 6 p.m., in preparation for the Ceremonial Procession of the Lord and Lady of the Manor and their guests. Olde English customs are the theme throughout the evening, including fanfares introducing the Ceremonial Procession, the Wassail Bowl and Christmas Toast, the Boar’s Head Procession and the Flaming Pudding Dessert. The Montanans serenade guests throughout the evening and are joined by Voces Luminis (ssaa) for the concert finale. The dinner closes with the audience joining the musicians in singing familiar carols. This year marks the 59th annual Madrigal Dinner, produced by the MSU School of Music, and the 26th year the production has traveled to Big Sky.
The Arts Council of Big Sky is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing cultural and artistic performances to the Big Sky Area. For more information call 995-2742 or visit www.bigskyarts.org.
