The Impact of Arts in a Blue-Collar Economy in the Flathead Valley of Montana

Ostensibly, beauty brought artists to Northwest Montana. Literally, railroads did.

At the turn of the 20th century, the Great Northern Railway launched a program called “See America First” to promote Northwest Montana as a resort destination, instead of Europe, which was the popular getaway of the time. The program helped establish Glacier National Park in 1910.

The goal of “See America First” was to allow people to glimpse this mountainous region’s beauty and thus encourage them to visit. The crux of the campaign was the artist. Whether they wielded brushes, cameras or pens, these artists were hired to show the rest of the world the beauty they were missing out on.

By Myers Reece

Full Story: http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/the_impact_of_arts_in_a_blue-collar_economy/10648/