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.
We're happy to announce that our fall class registration opens on Monday, August 12, at 8 a.m. We have many fun classes to choose from, including five and ten-week pottery classes, a new five-week stained glass workshop, kids after school art programs, single-day community art classes and much more!
Classes are offered at various times of the day and week so you can fit them in with your schedule. And, thanks to the support of local community foundations and individual donors, all of our classes are structured on a pay-what-you-can model, giving you financial flexibility and eliminating the barriers for participation. We believe in Arts for All!
Click here for more information and we hope to see you in the studio soon!
The Arts Council of Big Sky is pleased to announce another incredible summer of Music in the Mountains at Center Stage in Len Hill Park in Big Sky. Starting on June 20 and ending on September 12, there will be 13 concerts, all of which are free and open to the public. This year marks the 15th anniversary of hosting Music in the Mountains in Len Hill Park.
"We’re grateful to be able to bring another season of Music in the Mountains to the Big Sky Community," says Brian Hurlbut, the Arts Council's Executive Director. "We think our audience is going to be thrilled with this year’s lineup, which features a mix of returning favorites and exciting new artists."
The popular series will again present a variety of genres to appeal to all tastes. From blues to bluegrass, Americana to funk and soul, this summer will surely be another memorable one in Big Sky. The full schedule includes the Jeff Crosby Band on June 20; Cool Cool Cool on June 27; the Tiny Band on July 4; El Laberinto del Coco on July 11; The Wood Brothers on July 18; Mikaela Davis on July 25; Carolyn Wonderland on August 1; Doom Flamingo on August 8; Erica Falls and Vintage Soul on August 15; Fruition on August 22; The Lil Smokies on August 29; Pinky and the Floyd on September 5. Once again the season will conclude with the second annual Metal in the Mountains festival on September 12, featuring Metallica tribute band Blistered Earth and local rockers Scavenger. A free performance of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks will also take place in the Town Center Plaza on July 27.
The Arts Council is again partnering with the Spanish Peaks Community Foundation to present the Emerging Artist Series, which features local and regional opening artists for each concert. This year’s performers include Mike Murray on June 20; Gilda House on June 27; DJ Chedda on July 4; Cruz Contreras on July 11; Buffalo Burrows on July 18; Jacob Rountree and the Somethings on July 25; Emma and the Ledge on August 1; Moth on August 8; Jazz Cabbage on August 15; Tuesday Night Rodeo Club on August 22; and North Fork Crossing on August 29.
The family friendly events take place at Center Stage in Len Hill Park, one of the best outdoor venues in the state, right in the heart of Big Sky. The park opens at 6 p.m. each week, and there will be food and beverage vendors and a free arts activity tent for kids. Music typically starts at 6:30 p.m. with the headliner following at 8 p.m. Please remember that no dogs or glass containers are allowed in the park, and although attendees are allowed to bring their own food and alcohol into the park, please remember to be kind and respectful to others around you.
For more information on the summer lineup and to check out what other events the Arts Council has going on, please visit bigskyarts.org.
The Arts Council's Music in the Mountains program was recently awarded a $19,950 grant from the Montana Department of Commerce. The Economic Impact and Destination Event Grant, which is offered through the Department of Commerce, will help fund the popular free concert series, assisting with infrastructure needs, signage and advertising.
The purpose of the Economic Impact and Destination Event Grant is to assist Montana's communities with destination events and new events that will increase tourism to include regional, national and international visitors, promote Montana's unique attributes and generate additional community revenue, with a focus on rural communities.
"We are very grateful to the State of Montana for supporting Music in the Mountains," says Brian Hurlbut, Executive Director of the Arts Council of Big Sky. "It recognizes how important this program is not only to our local community, but to our statewide audience as well."
In 2023 more than 45,000 people flocked to Big Sky for the free outdoor concert series. This year's concerts start on June 20 and go through September 12.
