MISSOULA CULTURAL COUNCIL dba ARTS MISSOULA

THE MAIN ACTIVITIES OF THE MISSOULA CULTURAL COUNCIL, DBA ARTS MISSOULA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR WERE:1. Community Arts Programs & EventsArts Missoula produced multiple large-scale community events that celebrate Missoula and provided free and low-cost arts experiences for residents and visitors.Missoula on Main (New Years Eve Festival):Our annual two-day celebration featured dozens of performances, workshops, and activities across multiple venues. The festival showcased local musicians, dancers, theatre artists, teen performers, and multicultural groups, drawing thousands of participants and strengthening community connection.Germanfest:Arts Missoula hosted its annual Sister City festival honoring Missoulas relationship with Neckargemnd, Germany. With traditional music, vendors, cultural demonstrations, and family-friendly games, Germanfest drew more than 1,500 attendees in Caras Park.First Friday & Downtown Support:We strengthened downtown vibrancy by promoting First Friday exhibitions through radio, community calendars, monthly newsletter highlighting events and extensive social media support.2. Education, Youth Programs & Neighborhood OutreachArts Missoula delivered arts learning opportunities for young people and families throughout Missoula, with emphasis on neighborhoods lacking access to arts programming.Cultural Feast (Summer Outreach Program):In partnership with the Missoula Food Bank, we brought arts programmingdance, clay arts, cultural education, and hands-on creativitydirectly into underserved neighborhoods such as Futura Mobile Home Park in West Missoula. This work provided access for children who live far from arts opportunities, bus routes, or grocery services. Instructors included professional artists, and the program created meaningful connections.Youth Showcases:We produced Spotlight Teen Singing Competition during Missoula on Main, providing young performers with coaching, adjudication, and performance opportunities led by professional musicians and arts educators.3. Advocacy, Cultural Leadership & PlanningAs Missoulas local arts agency, Arts Missoula plays a leadership role in cultural policy, civic collaboration, and local-to-national arts advocacy.Cultural Planning:In FY24, Arts Missoula advanced the development of Missoulas first cultural plan in 35 years, in partnership with the City of Missoula Parks & Recreation Department. The plan will guide long-term arts goals, infrastructure needs, creative workforce support, and community engagement.Arts Advocacy:As the Montana District Captain for Americans for the Arts, Arts Missoula participated in national advocacy efforts and engaged state and local partners to promote the vital role of the arts in economic development, education, and community well-being.Economic Impact & Research:Though not a survey year, Arts Missoula continues to report out on the impact of the arts on Missoulas local economy and celebrates the data that shows us artists are small businesses and the backbone of our community. 4. Digital Access, Directories & CommunicationsArts Missoula invested deeply in tools that make the arts more discoverable, accessible, and inclusive.Arts Missoula Directory App:We advanced the development of our community-friendly arts directory app, which maps artists, arts organizations, venues, and public art throughout Missoula. This platform expands access for residents, visitors, and partners by offering a centralized, searchable resource.5. Fiscal Sponsorship & Sector SupportArts Missoula provided administrative, financial, and strategic support to several emerging and established arts organizations through our fiscal sponsorship program. FY24 sponsored projects included:Grow Music MissoulaMissoula All-City JazzWheels on the Bus Mobile Ceramics StudioIndigenous Made MissoulaNo Joke TheatreSculpture Missoula Fiscal sponsorship enables these projects to operate with nonprofit benefits while focusing on their artistic missions. Arts Missoula also offered sector support through promotion, professional development, public art guidance, community partnerships, and ongoing communication through newsletters, media relationships, and collaborative marketing.