The Creative and Cultural Economy

Humanities Montana is seeking "Humanities Spotters," individuals from around the state of Montana who can report in about humanities topics and events in each of their regions.

How Montana arts fare is important to more than just artists and art lovers. They play a significant role in both the local and state economy.

Featured in this issue:

Our second annual workshop and festival will again be at the Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork, Montana August 28 – September 4, 2011.

Through the MAC’s (Montana Art Council) Business Preparation initiative, Montana folk and traditional artists from tribal and rural areas are provided tools to succeed in business. This program provides services to the state’s artists in a number of ways

This is a funny show. But be warned-nothing is sacred. How about a tap number featuring senior dancers and their walkers? Or flamboyant fellows clad mostly in pink feathers? But all of the silliness is kind-spirited and fine for all but the least open-minded.

The Montana CINE International Film Festival features films on a broad range of topics relating to our environment, our cultures and our planet.

The level of need – and lack of space – has reached critical proportions.

Koostra explained the conundrum this way: "It would take four lifetimes to see all of our exhibits."

I stumbled on Hatchfest four years ago when a colleague met one of the organizers on a plane. I’m always shocked that it’s so unknown within the state. A friend asked if Hatch was a fishing event. Since fly fishermen are always focused on what the next hatch is, the question made sense. And Hatchfest does nurture creativity; even its logo has a filmmaker emerging from an egg.

On Tuesday morning, it was announced that Travelocity will be donating money to the Mining City to help kick-start the event, slated to be held in July 2011.