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.
It's been five months since the Arts Council of Big Sky closed on the 7700 square foot building at 77 Lone Peak Drive, with the the vision of creating a new Big Sky Center for the Arts. Formerly operated as a sports bar, grill and casino, we have initiated the first phase of transformation by creating an interim office space, community event venue, and art class location, all through the generous support of Todd Rossier of Two Bear Construction, Gina Dee of Provincial Store Fixtures, and countless volunteer hours.
Future renovation will be dramatic. Our main floor will have a dedicated youth classroom, dedicated pottery workshop, gallery, stage, and public event space. With the addition of a second floor, we will add five more art class and community meeting space options, administrative offices, and a radio station broadcast booth. We will build out the basement to create music lesson rooms, a recording studio, and an intimate small performance venue. And last, but definitely not least, a rooftop deck will be a new spectacular and unrivaled event space.
See the future building plans and renderings, and learn how the Big Sky Center for the Arts will transform our community here!
Breaking news: Watch "Big Sky Arts Find Its Center", the latest episode of Explore Big Sky's Hoary Marmot podcast, here!
Space
Two months after closing on the building, the former casino "game room" had been completely transformed. Old carpet was removed and the concrete floor was polished. Blacked-out windows were scraped to reveal the bright southern exposure. National Coatings painted the walls a bright gallery white - for free! Our friend Gina Dee donated a beautiful entry seating area and Big Sky Thrift contributed colorful throw pillows. Five of the Arts Council's team members moved from their 350sf office to a new office space nearly three times the size!
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In the past month, the bar and stage area of the former building received a fresh coat of white paint to create a bright and inviting space where we will host numerous upcoming community events, including High School Prom! (See below for more...) Another exciting development: in preparation for our upcoming Montana Chamber Music event, we will be moving our grand piano from the Wilson Hotel (where it has been on loan). We can't wait to hear how it fills the space!
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The former restaurant dining area has gone through a minimal transformation, mainly to serve as temporary classroom space. It will serve a very important purpose as we launch our first ever, full-time Youth Summer Arts Camp. By having this space available, we are able to expand our class offerings without disrupting programming at our art studio at BASE. Not pictured is another much-appreciated donation: a sink with counter and cupboards to provide running water and storage for any art programs we run in this corner of the building.
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Still in the works... While the new class area sink will be convenient, we still have a fully functional prep kitchen area to stage event refreshments. Much of the prior kitchen equipment remains in the space, though we do not have cooking facilities set up yet. Another transition is in progress downstairs, where basement walk-in coolers are being disassembled and removed. Once it's cleared out, it will serve as future basement storage and music practice and lesson space for local musicians of all ages.
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April 26: Lone Peak High School Prom
May 1: One Valley Give Big community event *
May 7: Big Sky Chamber’s Leadership Big Sky Graduation
June 6-7: Big Sky Artists Collective Plein Aire Kids painting class
June 27: Big Sky Artist Collective Plein Aire Kids exhibit *
July 26: Spanish Peaks Community Foundation Singer-Songwriter event
July 30: Outlaw Wildlands pop-up art exhibit *
* = Free public event
** = Ticketed public event
May 14: ACBS Artist in Residence presentation *
June 20: ACBS Baroque Music Montana concert **
July 9: ACBS Indigikitchen program with Mariah Gladstone **
July 15: ACBS Montana Chamber Music Ensemble with Angella Ahn **
(See our event calendar for more info.)
* = Free public event
** = Ticketed public event
See the future plans for this building and learn how the Big Sky Center for the Arts will transform our community here!
To visit the building and get more information about our upcoming campaign to fully realize the vision for the Big Sky Center for the Arts, please reach out to
Katie Alvin
Development Director
katie@bigskyarts.org
406-995-2472
The Arts Council's Music in the Mountains program was recently awarded a $24,500 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 again for 2025," 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. As our event expenses continue to go up, grants like this are critical to our sustainability."
In 2024 more than 45,000 people flocked to Big Sky for the free outdoor concert series. The 2025 concerts are slated to start on June 26 and go through September 4. Lineup announcement will be coming in April, stay tuned!
By Carli Johnson Explore Big Sky
On Saturday, April 19, the Arts Council of Big Sky held a release party to announce the summer 2025 Music in the Mountains lineup. This is the 16th year of the free concert series in Big Sky.
Voted Big Sky’s Best Annual Event and Best Family Friendly Activity by readers of Explore Big Sky, Music in the Mountains kicks off on June 26 and concludes on Sept. 4 with the third annual Metal in the Mountains. This year, the arts council is bringing back the Emerging Artist program to provide opening bands for all shows.
“We’re excited about the whole series again. I think we really always try to get a good variety of music and artists throughout the summer, and I think we’ve done that again this year,” said Executive Director Brian Hurlbut in an interview with EBS.
The series opens with John ‘Papa’ Gros, a New Orleans based artist who melds funk, rock, jazz and blues, according to a press release from the arts council. Gros began his career as a solo performer in the early 1990s, and will make his Big Sky debut on June 26.
On July 3 the band Yarn performs with emerging artist Ben Larson opening. Yarn spent two years honing their sound during a Monday night residency in New York’s Greenwich Village. With five studio albums and four Grammy nominations, Yarn plays upwards of 170 shows a year.
The Tiny Band returns to Big Sky for their traditional July 4 show. A blend of Motown, rock, soul and pop, The Tiny Band will bring big vocals and high energy to Big Sky for the 10th year in a row.
On July 10, moe. presents Big Sky with two sets of music in one evening. Hailing from the University of Buffalo, a posse of six musician friends got together and have been playing ever since. Praised by American Songwriter for its “mind-bending musicality,” moe. is beloved for its sonic adventurousness, unbridled showmanship and its witty and insightful songwriting, according to the press release.
The Brothers Comatose return to Big Sky on July 17 with their roots-infused bluegrass, blending Americana, folk and traditional bluegrass. Opening for them is emerging artist Cruz Contreras and the Black Lillies.
On July 24, The Love Darts will be opening for Cracker. Hurlbut noted that as one of the biggest alternative bands in the 90s, the Arts Council is very excited to have Cracker here in Big Sky. Cracker is ever-evolving, tapping into a variety of genres yet consistently producing a good sound, according to the release.
The Jamie McLean Band will perform on July 31 with emerging artist Emma and the Ledge. A combination of New Orleans soul, Delta blues and New York City swagger, the Jamie McLean Band provides an energetic and captivating show and is no stranger to Big Sky.
Formed in a North Carolina dormitory in 2012, The Nude Party brings their band to Montana for the first time at Music in the Mountains on Aug. 7. According to a press release, their sound blends the clanging rock of the ‘60s with modern elements.
Performing in Montana for the first time as well, Zach Person debuts in Big Sky on Aug. 14. Emerging from Austin, Texas, Person puts on a loud, raw performance that connects with his fans on a “primal sonic level,” according to the release.
On Aug. 21, Big Richard takes the stage in Big Sky after exploding onto the Colorado scene in 2021. The four-woman supergroup is currently touring their debut full-length studio album, “Girl Dinner.”
Left-coast string brand Hot Buttered Rum performs Aug. 28, weaving their love of bluegrass, folk, jazz and soul into a compelling strain of Americana.
To close the series, Hell’s Belles will perform on Sept. 4 as the third annual Metal in the Mountains with opening local band Scavenger. The all-female headline band have rock-n-rolled their way across the world as the AC/DC fanatics that they are.
Hurlbut noted that people can expect new food vendors and a Music in the Mountains pilsner that will be available on draft and in a can. The pilsner is made in partnership with By All Means Brewing, a Billings based brewery.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s about two months away,” Hurlbut said in excitement.
