News

Stage of Emergency Cultural Groups Ask What to Mount Next. The Answer, Increasingly: Losses

May 8, 2009 /

MATR Sponsor (view all)

Bear Paw Development Corporation is a private non-profit organization created for the purpose of administering programs to help improve regional economic conditions in Hill, Blaine, Liberty, Chouteau and Phillips Counties and the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy's Indian Reservations.

The recession has slammed the brakes on what has been one of the most fecund periods for the arts in America, with a steady surge in the growth of community theaters, dance troupes, museums and other kinds of arts groups over the past two decades. Even a small town like Missoula, Mont. (population 64,081), now boasts its own symphony orchestra, two ballet companies, a prize-winning repertory theater and an annual International Choral Festival.

By Paul Farhi and Jacqueline Trescott
Washington Post Staff Writers

Full Story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/01/AR2009050100218.html?sub=AR

(Many thanks to Tom Bensen

Executive Director

Missoula Cultural Council

http://www.missoulacultural.org for passing this along. Russ)