NEWS

It's over a year 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.

Since then, we've hosted more than 50 events in partnership with 40 different community partners! We've gathered for such a variety of reasons: High School Prom, property tax Q&A, youth art camps, cultural cooking demonstration, Dia de los Muertos, and more. There is no doubt that our thriving community needs a thriving center in which to connect. We are humbled by the response. But we're only beginning!

In order to maximize the capacity of this important community asset, we need to optimize our space through a transformational renovation.

The update 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.

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!

----------------------------------

Shortly thereafter, 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! Another exciting development: in preparation for our upcoming Montana Chamber Music event, we finally moved our grand piano into our new home from the Wilson Hotel (where it has been on loan). The sound as it fills the space is extraordinary!

----------------------------------

The former restaurant dining area has gone through a minimal transformation, mainly to serve as temporary classroom space. It serves a very important purpose as home to our kids programming, including our full-time Youth Summer Arts Camp. By having this space available, we are also able to expand our regular 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.

----------------------------------

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 the basement walk-in coolers have been disassembled and removed, and it now serves as music practice and lesson space for local musicians of all ages.

----------------------------------