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.
HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce recently announced that 48 local event organizations will share more than $828,000 of grant funding to support destination events in 2026 that will help increase tourism in Montana communities. The funding is through Commerce’s Economic Impact and Destination Event Grant Program.
The Arts Council's award-winning Music in the Mountains free concert series was awarded a grant for $24,500 to support the community event.
“Economic Impact and Destination Event Grant funding assists Montana’s communities with destination events and new happenings that can help increase regional, national and international tourism, promote Montana's unique attributes and generate additional revenue for local communities,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio.
The EIDE Grant Program is a state-funded opportunity authorized by the 2023 Montana Legislature’s enactment of Senate Bill 540.
"This is a great award for our series," said ACBS Executive Director. "To be supported by state tourism dollars among all of these other great events shows how important Music in the Mountains is to the statewide tourism economy."
When the Arts Council of Big Sky purchased 77 Lone Peak Drive, it wasn't just about acquiring a building. It was about creating a permanent home where creativity, education, and community could come together under one roof.
Today, that vision is already making an impact.
Since opening our doors in April 2025, the Big Sky Center for the Arts has become a gathering place for the community, hosting classes, performances, workshops, meetings, and events that bring people together through the arts.
A Community Hub Already Making a Difference
In just over a year, the Center has:
These milestones demonstrate what we've always believed: when a community has access to creative spaces, people show up.
The current building has allowed us to offer more opportunities than ever before, but it's only the beginning of what's possible.
The Big Sky Center for the Arts is about much more than a building. It's about creating a place where people of all ages can create, learn, gather, and connect.
Imagine a place where families attend concerts together, students discover new passions through art and music, nonprofits gather for meetings, artists showcase their work, and neighbors come together through shared creative experiences.
Whether you're taking your first art class, attending a community event, or volunteering, the Center is being built to welcome everyone.
Phase I will transform the building into a vibrant community arts hub featuring:
These dedicated spaces will allow multiple programs to happen at once, creating even more opportunities for classes, performances, workshops, and community events.
Every class taught, every workshop hosted, and every community partnership reinforces why this project matters. We've already seen what's possible in our current space. As we continue toward Phase I construction, we're building more than an arts center - we're creating a lasting home where creativity, connection, and community will thrive for generations to come.
The Arts Council of Big Sky was honored to welcome Mariah Gladstone, founder of IndigiKitchen, for a memorable evening celebrating Indigenous food traditions through hands-on learning, community, and shared conversation.
Hosted on the back patio of the Big Sky Center for the Arts, the workshop invited participants to explore pre-contact North American Indigenous ingredients and cooking techniques while learning about the history, wellness, and cultural significance behind Indigenous food systems. Throughout the evening, Mariah guided guests in preparing a delicious meal featuring native ingredients, offering practical ways to bring these traditional foods into modern home kitchens.
Adding a special local touch, each participant took home a handmade ceramic bowl crafted by Arts Council pottery instructors, creating a lasting reminder of the experience and the meal they prepared together.
With just 20 participants, the intimate workshop fostered meaningful conversation, hands-on learning, and a deeper appreciation for Indigenous culinary traditions. Surrounded by the mountain setting of the Big Sky Center for the Arts, the evening highlighted the power of food to connect people, culture, and community.
Thank you to Mariah Gladstone and everyone who joined us for an unforgettable evening of learning, cooking, and sharing a meal together.
07-2026-Updated-Building-Slideshow.pdf