Missoula Cultural Council – Some news and upcoming events for the week of April 9, 2005

In Missoula…

Art Trek 2005, featuring works of elementary and middle school students from 22 public and private schools in the Missoula area, is on display now through May 15 at Southgate Mall. For the full story visit http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2005/05/05/news/local/news07.txt

The Missoula Art Museum’s Summer Art Schedule is now online. Click here to preview the exciting variety of classes being offered for kids, adults and families from June 20 through August 2. The Missoula Art Museum’s Temporary Contemporary in the Florence building is open Tuesday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Admission is free.

The Montana Natural History Center presents several events this week:

* Prairie Keepers: May 10th, 6:00 p.m. Learn about gardening with native plants by taking a guided tour of the Nature Adventure Garden and Fort Missoula Native Prairie. You’ll learn about hummingbird and butterfly plants, and learn some common native wildflowers and grasses that thrive in gardens. Then help us to transplant wildflowers and grasses. Meet at the Nature Adventure Garden at Fort Missoula at 6:00 p.m.
* Prairie Keepers: May 14 – Native Plant Sale – Farmer’s Market. The Clark Fork Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society has its annual native plant sale fundraiser. Come down and buy healthy native wildflowers, shrubs and grasses that have been grown from ethically collected seeds by the Society’s members. North end of Higgins Ave at the Farmer’s Market, 9:00 a.m.
* A Day for the Birds at the National Bison Range: May 14. Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day with the National Bison Range. Activities for the day include special bird video showings, information on backyard bird feeding, trivia contests, coloring pages, and free posters. Visitors will be able to take the Red Sleep Mountain Drive, which is scheduled to open on May 7. Because it travels through a variety of habitats, including grassland and forest, the drive is a good place to see a broad spectrum of birds, as well as abundant wildlife. The Range is open by 7:00 a.m. While all Bird Day events are free, fees are charged for the scenic drives. To learn more contact Pat Jamieson, Outdoor Recreation Planner, (406) 644-2211, extension 207.
* A Soup and Stars Saturday Discovery Day with the Western Montana Astronomical Association: May 14, 6:00 p.m. The Moon; Dead or Alive 6:00 – 8:00 pm, followed by a sky viewing, weather permitting. $15/$10 MNHC members – Registration required.

For more information, call 327-0405 or visit http://www.MontanaNaturalist.com

Sentinel High School Jazz Bands present Spring Jazz Concert on May 10 in the Sentinel High School Margaret Johnson Theater at 7:30 p.m. A reception will follow the program. For more information call Gary Gillett at 728-2403 ext 7041 or e-mail [email protected]

Big Bing Theory, a co-ed a cappella singing group from Gonzaga University, will perform a charity benefit concert for the Living Art non-profit group at The Roxy Theatre on May 10 at 7:00 p.m. The group sings a variety of contemporary hits, including Outkast’s “Hey Ya,” Maroon 5’s “She Will Be Loved,” and Nickel Creek’s “When You Come Back Down.” They also perform multiple beloved classic tunes including “Stand by Me” and Extreme’s “More than Words.” For tickets and information, contact Beth Ammons at [email protected]

Missoula Public Library and the Institute of Medicine and the Humanities are hosting a special traveling exhibition by the National Library of Medicine & the American Library Association. Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature offers a fresh look at Mary Shelley’s book and its importance in discussions about social responsibility and ethical scientific research. It will be on display through June 10 at Missoula Public Library. This week’s programs include:

* Lecture Series: Wednesday, May 11, 7:00 p.m. at the Broadway Building Conference Center at St. Patrick’s Hospital. Ethics and Biotechnology: Lessons from “Frankenstein,” a forum, presented by the Institute of Medicine and Humanities with Gregory Fowler, Ph.D., Geneforum (Portland, OR), Mark Hanson, Ph.D., Practical Ethics Center, University of Montana, and Herbert Swick, M.D., Institute of Medicine and Humanities. The panel will discuss what lessons we can learn from Frankenstein about today’s bioethical challenges. This talk will explore the ethical and social implications of recent advances in biotechnology.
* Children’s Program: Saturday, May 14th, 11 a.m. at Missoula Public Library Create your own monster using your imagination!
* Film Series: Saturday, May 14th, 2 p.m. at Missoula Public Library. The 1935 sequel to the original Frankenstein film will be shown.
* Book Discussion: Monday, May 16th, 7 p.m. at Missoula Public Library. The I (heart) Books Genre Discussion will focus on Gothic Fiction. Come discover new authors and meet fellow book lovers. Fun & interesting with free handouts for everyone.

For more information about these and future Frankenstein program please call 721-BOOK (2665).

Missoula Children’s Theatre presents Damn Yankees, continuing May 11-15 at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts. Faust meets professional baseball in this Broadway classic. Middle-aged baseball fanatic Joe Boyd trades his soul to the Devil for a chance to lead his favorite team to victory in the pennant race against the New York Yankees. But is it worth the price? Damn Yankees is an irreverant, all-American homerun hit! Call 728-PLAY (7529) or visit http://www.mctinc.org for tickets and information.

The Missoula Community Chorus presents Songs of the Heart, a spring program full of operatic, international, and romantic music on Friday May 13, 7:30 p.m. at the Music Recital Hall, University of Montana Music Building. A volunteer chorus of over 100 voices, the choir is celebrating the culmination of its fourth season. Free admission, donations gladly accepted. For information, contact Robbin at 728-0983.

The Missoula Folklore Society presents two concerts this week. Song Writers in the Round, with Jenn Adams, Tom Catmull, Amy Martin and John Floridis occurs on Thursday, May 12 at 8:00 p.m. at the Crystal Theater. Lucy Kaplansky performs on Sunday, May 15 at 8:00 p.m. in the Masquer Theater in the PAR-TV building on the UM Campus next to the Adams Center. Tickets for both shows are available at Rockin Rudy’s, and are discounted $2 for MFS members. For more information visit http://www.montanafolk.org/concerts.html

On Saturday, May 14 from 10:00 a.m. ­ 2:00 p.m., noted art and antiquities appraiser Tim Gordon will be at The Dana Gallery for an Art & Antiques Road Show. He will be evaluating any works of art or fine antiquities for which the general public may wish to know values. If you have an old painting, print, statue, photo or ceramic of which you wish to know the value, bring it to gallery for a free estimate. Verbal evaluations will be performed on any rare antiques, artifacts, or historical items, including those of Asian and Native American origin, items related to Montana history, fine decorative arts and rare treasures of all sorts. Mr. Gordon has been featured on national television and holds records for many of the world’s largest art and antique appraisals. For more information call 721-3154

Fact and Fiction presents Jim Crumley, who will be signing his new book, The Right Madness, at 7:00 p.m. at the Depot on Thursday, May 12.

Elsewhere in Montana and the Region…

Media Arts in the Public Schools (MAPS) has recently been invited by the University of Montana at Great Falls to host a two-day, summer seminar for High School and Middle School students of the area. The scheduled dates are August 8 and 9. The MAPS pilot project began September 2004 in the Corvallis, Montana, middle and high schools. Designated a "School to Work" program by the Montana Office of Public Instruction, the MAPS goal is to encourage a student’s creativity and provide an opportunity for a future career in the media. “The Arts in public schools are an endangered species,” said Peter Rosten, President of the Florence Prever Rosten Foundation, founder of MAPS and a twenty-five year veteran of the entertainment industry. “We’ve set up a media arts and filmmaking program for rural public school kids 12-18; it’s our modest attempt to deter extinction.” For the full story visit http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=084296, and for more information about the MAPS program, contact Peter Rosten @ (406) 370-3745 or visit the MAPS website, http://www.mediarts.org.

For the sixth straight year, the National Endowment for the Arts has provided major support for Montana literary arts and the Montana Festival of the Book with a 2005 Access to Artistic Excellence grant of $15,000. A list of all new NEA grant awards to Montana organizations is at the NEA site. The 2005 Montana Festival of the Book will occur September 22-24 in Missoula. Visit the bookfest website for developing news.

The National Park Service’s Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Challenge Cost Share program has awarded $15,000 to the Montana Committee for the Humanities for support of its various Lewis and Clark Bicentennial programs in 2005-2007. A full list of new Montana awards from the NPS is at the Montana Lewis and Clark Bicentennial site. Lewis and Clark Bicentennial in Montana is now in high gear. Information on the first of Montana’s two Bicentennial “Signature” events is at http://www.explorethebigsky.org/, and information on NPS’s traveling Bicentennial exhibit, Corps of Discovery II, is at http://www.nps.gov/lecl/CorpsII/Corps2.htm.

The Montana Legislature and Governor Schweitzer have created the position of Montana state poet laureate, the first incumbent for which must be named by the governor by July 1. Details on the position, nominations process—deadline for which is May 13—are at the Montana Arts Council site. Montana Committee for the Humanities executive director Mark Sherouse consulted with the Montana Arts Council in the design of the selection process, and MCH administrative officer Kim Anderson will represent MCH and the Montana Center for the Book on the review panel.

From the Bitterroot Valley to the Mission, Glacier Country offers bird watchers the opportunity to observe rare species, including harlequin ducks, boreal chickadees and grebes. Nearly one in six Americans actively participates in bird watching, the fastest growing form of outdoor recreation in the United States, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Montana is a mecca for bird and wildlife watching,” says Linda Anderson, Glacier Country executive director. “Visitors are attracted to the unique viewing opportunities in Glacier Country’s protected ecosystems.” This summer, new birding trails and birding festivals will offer birding enthusiasts venues for exploring prime viewing areas and learning about the region’s unique birds.

* In its third year, the Bigfork Birding Festival is partnering with the Montana State Audubon Society to offer an expanded event, Birding in the Flathead Valley, June 3–5. Highlights include field trips to Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge, the National Bison Range and Glacier National Park. http://www.mtaudubon.org/html/birdwatching_field_trips_and_programs_fest2.htm
* The Bitterroot Birding and Nature Trail is Montana’s first such trail, connecting approximately 25 prime viewing sites in the Bitterroot Valley. With signs and brochures marking the sites for visitors, the trail will serve as a model for additional birding and nature trails across the state. “This is a multi-partner tourism project shaped by Montana communities,” says Bitterroot Birding and Nature Trail Coordinator Deborah Richie Oberbillig. “As the gold standard for birding and nature trail systems, its benefits are economic, conservation and social.” http://www.montanabirdingtrail.org
* John Acorn, host of the Discovery Channel show The Nature Nut, will be the keynote speaker at the Bitterroot Birding and Nature Festival, June 17­–19. The Bitterroot Birding and Nature Trail will be dedicated at the festival, which will include field trips to viewing sites. http://www.bitterrootbirdfest.com
* With its diverse habitats, Glacier National Park offers birders the chance to see northern birds not commonly seen in the lower 48, including black swift and whitetail ptarmigan. http://www.nps.gov/glac/

More information on festivals and Glacier Country birding and wildlife viewing areas can be found at http://www.glacier.visitmt.com

Come and celebrate the Cowpoke at the Ravalli County Museum in Hamilton Saturday, May 14 at High Noon. Join Poet Laureate Verna Molenda, Ye Ol’ cowboy Buck Hafer, Ned Trowbridge and John Howell (from Leadore, Idaho) “There’s a whole lot of talent in this valley,” states Molenda. “This program is not just for poets. Everyone who loves the west, and the nostalgia of the cowboys, is encouraged to come.” On Sunday, May 15, artist Dorsie Jones will be giving a slide presentation & critique of The International Association of The Pastel Society’s annual competition for 2003/2004. For information about both events, call 363-3338, or e-mail [email protected].

Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman is featuring Doubleday’s Cowgirls from May 14-September 11; Cosmic Questions: Our Place in Space and Time through September 5. The Hall of Horn and Teeth opens June 18. Please call 994-2251 for more information.

Three exhibits in Great Falls feature Montana and Montana Artists: at the C. M. Russell Museum, the work of Charles Fritz, An Artist with the Corps of Discovery, will be on display from May 20-August 20. The Museum is also reinstalling works by Olaf Seltzer and Three Generations of the Seltzer Family. Please call 727-8787 for more information. The Galerie Trinitas at the University of Great Falls is showing Illustrations of Botanicals from the Lewis and Clark Expedition. A reception featuring this presentation will be on June 2, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. For more information, please call 791-5292.

From the Montana Associated Technology Roundtable…

Butte, MT – A Different Kind of Hot Spot
The fundamental challenge for Butte is to move from Old West to New West, from a post-industrial relic to a quaint, historic mining town with fishing, hunting and other recreation in the mountains around it. Butte’s mother lode is its abundance of history, its extraordinary, if decaying, Victorian architecture, and its authenticity.

Big Sky Institute for the Advancement of NonProfits – Major Projects for 2005 and Beyond
The mission of the Big Sky Institute for the Advancement of Nonprofits is to strengthen and increase the capacity of the nonprofit sector in the philanthropic divide states of Montana and those nearby.

For more about the Montana Associated Technology Roundtable, visit http://www.matr.net

Nationally…

The National Endowment for the Arts has announced awards of nearly $3.85 million in the Arts on Radio & Television category, supporting radio and television projects with the potential to reach a significant national audience. For more information, please go to http://www.arts.gov/news/news05/ARTVAnnounce.html

The National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with the Massachusetts

Cultural Council and the Western States Arts Federation, has announced the twelve recipients of the first NEA Teacher Institutes. Twelve awards of $40,000 each will support educational and arts organizations in New England and western states to design and produce summer institutes for arts educators, classroom teachers, and teaching artists. Please go to http://www.arts.gov/news/news05/TeacherInstitutes.html

From the National Business Committee for the Arts…

OPERA America – the national and international service organization for opera companies in the U.S. and Canada – has named Monsanto Fund, St. Louis, MO, its U.S. Business of the Year. The Monsanto Fund has supported, for 14 years, the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’s Artists-in-Training program that supports talented high school students with voice lessons, master classes, college retreats and scholarship aid. The award will be presented at the OPERA America Conference in Detroit on May 8. For more information, visit http://www.operaamerica.org.

Deloitte & Touche USA LLP will become the title sponsor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Deloitte Pops Series for the next three years, through the 2006-2007 season. This sponsorship is the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s second largest, after the Texas Instruments’ sponsorship of the Orchestra’s classical series. For information, visit http://www.dallassymphony.org.

To learn more about the National Business Committee for the Arts, visit http://www.bcainc.org

From the Center for Arts and Culture….

Dynamic cities and creative clusters
World Bank Group, 2005
"The author focuses on how urban policies and the clustering of creative industries has influenced urban outcomes. The set of creative industries include those with output protectable under some form of intellectual property law. More specifically, this sub-sector encompasses software, multimedia, video games, industrial design, fashion, publishing, and research and development. The cities that form the basis for the empirical investigations are those where policy-induced transitions have been most evident, including Boston; San Francisco; San Diego; Seattle; Austin; Washington, D.C.; Dublin (Ireland); Hong Kong (China); and Bangalore (India). The key research questions are: 1) What types of cities are creative? 2) What locational factors are essential? 3) What are the common urban policy initiatives used by creative cities?" http://econ.worldbank.org/external/default/main?pagePK=64165259&piPK=64165421&menuPK=64166093&theSitePK=469372&entityID=000012009_20050303152330

A New Arts Foundation With a Focus on Creativity
New York Times, 5/2/2005
"What happens to the brain when you write or read a poem, beyond the moment of creation or enjoyment? What do the arts mean for jobs and economies? How can creativity be taught and fostered? Those are some of the questions that led Louise T. Blouin MacBain, founder of one of the world’s largest art magazine publishers, to set up the Louise T. Blouin Foundation. The international nonprofit arts organization has a wide-ranging agenda to support cultural development around the world, through research and new programs." http://www.nytimes.com/auth/login?URI=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/02/arts/02foun.html&OP=1588c84c/aQ3CxQ2AaQ5EQ20G5fQ20Q20Q3FQ3EaQ3E}}ga}ga}Q3EaQ5CfQ3F5a}Q3EeQ20L-Q23Q60Q3FQ5Di

Survey shows support for arts in school
Mercury News, 4/27/2005
"The arts ought to be on par with basics such as math when it comes to required subjects in school, a survey of Santa Clara County adults shows. That’s not a totally unexpected sentiment, but the extent to which those surveyed support making the arts a requirement — nearly 9 out of 10 — suggests deep and sustained support for restoring the arts to the core curriculum for students in grades K-12." https://registration.mercurynews.com/reg/login.do?url=http://www.mercurynews.com%2Fmld%2Fmercurynews%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fstates%2Fcalifornia%2Fnorthern_california%2F11500164.htm

Will TV Indecency Ban Become Censorship?
Washington Post – AP, 4/29/2005
"In the minds of many viewers, the current anti-indecency crusade isn’t just out to make the airwaves safe for families and children. Another likely goal is to punish TV for its brazen smut- peddling." Legislative suggestion have included criminal prosecution, FCC purview over cable and satellite programming, and raising indecency fines to as much as $500,000 per incident. But according to a Pew Research poll, people see "greater danger in the government imposing undue restrictions on the entertainment industry than from harmful material the industry might dispense." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/29/AR2005042900501.html

To learn more about the Center of Arts and Culture, visit http://www.culturalpolicy.org

Internationally…

Support for EU ‘digital library’
BBC News, 5/4/2005
"A plan to create a vast digital library to preserve Europe’s cultural heritage has received strong backing from European Union (EU) culture ministers. Six EU nations said they supported the initiative . . . [which] would be similar to search giant Google’s global virtual library plans. . . . EU officials and cultural commentators have voiced concern that Google’s ambitious plans could result in important European literary works missing out and being lost to future generations." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4512831.stm

Finally…From Wolf, Keens and Co…

“The future isn’t what it used to be.” From a web site entitled AnyFoolCanBlog.com comes a display of vintage cars that never existed.

To learn more about Wolf, Keens and Co. visit http://www.wolfkeens.com.

Visit http://www.missoulacultural.org and e-mail [email protected] with submissions for this newsletter. To unsubscribe, please e-mail to the above.

Thanks for your comments & corrections

Tom at MCC