News & Upates

Presented Thursday, October 8 11:00-11:45am, Virtual Workshop with Emily Wolfram, Executive Director, MPAC As traditional arts grantmakers face rising demand, creative organizations in rural Montana need diverse, resilient funding strategies. This 45-minute session provides a practical roadmap for securing support from health-focused grantmakers, health systems, and regional community foundations. ​ We will examine key regional funders—including grantmaking healthcare foundat

Presented Tuesday, October 6, 1:00-2:00pm Links: Contact Emily Wolfram, MT Cultural Advocacy Montana Cultural Advoacy Join us for a two-part virtual session covering the state of public arts funding in Montana and how local communities can independently advocate for cultural resources. ​ Part 1: Montana Arts Council Update with Krys Holmes, Executive Director, Montana Arts Council ​Krys will share updates on public funding for the arts at the state and federal levels. This in

Volunteer Recruitment and Retention with Amy Shike, Training Manager, Montana Nonprofit Association Presented Wednesday, September 30 Workshop materials Slide deck Who Volunteers for You Worksheet Volunteer Job Description Template Board Member Job Description Template Start or strengthen your volunteer recruitment and management plans in this two-part webinar series. Participants will explore volunteer motivations and capacities, refine logistics to support retention, and co

Presented Monday, September 14, 2:00pm, Virtual Join us for an orientation session designed to help you feel right at home from the moment you arrive. We’ll give you a full walkthrough of our unique structure, where MPAC’s collegial atmosphere and networking sessions make it easy to collaborate and connect with your fellow presenters. You’ll get a clear sense of what to expect at the conference and learn how to navigate our information-dense schedule while still finding the t

Presented Wednesday, September 2, 11:00am, Virtual Join us for an orientation session designed to help you hit the ground running at the 2026 Artist Showcase & Conference in Helena! This workshop provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the conference's unique structure, highlighting how MPAC’s small, relaxed environment fosters a culture of meaningful connection with professionals and Montana communities. Attendees will gain insights into the Montana performing arts ecosystem

We are excited to share that Carnegie Hall’s Well-Being Concerts partner webinar series is returning for the 2026–2027 season! Having previously partnered with Carnegie Hall to bring these impactful initiatives to our MPAC community, we are thrilled to pass along these upcoming learning and networking opportunities for our members. Whether you are looking to launch your own well-being concert series or refine your organization's artistic programming, these four interactive

Grant Workshop: Demystifying Philanthropy with Unfunded List with Dave Moss, Founder, and Board Chair Margaret Chapman from The Unfunded List Thursday, August 20, 1:00–2:00 pm (MT), Virtual Workshop Join Dave Moss, Founder of Unfunded List, and Board Chair Margaret Chapman for a session dedicated to helping arts organizations navigate the complexities of grantmaking. This workshop is specifically designed for grantseeking nonprofit arts organizations—from large professional v

Presenter Panelists: Mike Rodrique (Mission Valley Live), Corby Skinner (Alberta Bair Theater), Jim Olson ( Belt Performing Arts Center)Facilitator: Ron DeStefano, EPIC Arts Management Presented: Thursday, August 6, 1:00-2:00 pm (MT), Virtual Panel Discussion Get a head start on the 2026 conference season by hearing directly from the people who book the shows. Facilitated by Ron DeStefano of EPIC Arts Management, this virtual panel features experienced Montana presenters who

Montana-born, Los Angeles-based duo Joselyn & Don are bringing their signature "folk-noir" sound back home to Big Sky Country this summer! Continuing their Lost & Found Highway album tour, the duo blends classic Americana and soulful storytelling into a captivating musical road trip. They kicked off their summer stretch at the Fort Benton Summer Celebration on June 27th, and next up, you can catch them for a free outdoor show at Summer Music in Library Park in Great Falls on

A Legacy of Service and Music in Great Falls At the end of June, the Montana arts community marked the retirement of a true local legend. Larry Gomoll, a long-serving MPAC board member and the Executive Director of the Great Falls Community Concert Association (GFCCA), officially stepped down from his role. His incredible tenure was celebrated in style at the GFCCA’s June 16th concert, where Larry was honored with a formal commendation from the Mayor of Great Falls and a plaq

In May, acclaimed pianist Jason Lyle Black and his wife, talented vocalist Hayley Renee, traveled to Hamilton, Montana, to headline the Bitterroot Valley Arts Gala. The evening was a resounding success, with board members praising the duo for bringing an elite, memorable level of entertainment to this year’s fundraiser. Not only did they wow the crowd with their musical talents, but they also found a creative way to support the cause directly from the stage. The couple wrote

Fiery Flamenco Fusion Coming to Superior this August Get ready for an unforgettable night of high-energy music! The Mineral County Arts Council (MCPAC) is thrilled to host award-winning flamenco fusion artist Gladius for a live performance at the LDS Church in Superior, MT, on Friday, August 14th, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Gladius brings an electrifying, unique sound to the stage that seamlessly blends the intricate world of classical and flamenco guitar with the driving energy of ro

The Well-Being Concert Model with guest speakers: Sam Livingston​​​​, Senior Director, Operations, Weill Music Institute, Carnegie Hall Jessica Catron, Founding Executive Director & Teaching Artist, Missoula Crescendo Club Marie Oleson, Fairbanks Concert Association Workshop presented Wednesday, June 24, 2026 Explore how musical performances can be intentionally crafted to support community health and mental wellness in The Well-Being Concert Model virtual workshop on Wednesd

Arts & Mental Health: State of Mind Tour with Michael Rohd, Director, University of Montana Co-Lab for Civic Imagination Workshop presented Thursday, June 18, 2026 Michael Rohd is a theatre maker, process designer and facilitator who co-founded Sojourn Theatre, serving as its artistic director for 23 years, and co-creating over thirty original productions during that time. He’s premiered new work with partners that include: Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Steppenwolf Theatre, Pi

The Montana Performing Arts Consortium (MPAC) is proud to announce the 17 professional touring artists and ensembles selected to perform at the 2026 Artist Showcase & Conference. The conference will take place October 16–18, 2026, at the Helena Civic Center, marking the first time in over two decades that the state’s premier performing arts gathering has returned to the capital city. A highlight of the three-day conference is the Juried Artist Showcase on Saturday, October 17

Storytelling Workshop With Shelby Rogala, Assistant Director, Montana Nonprofit Association Workshop presented Tuesday, May 26, 2026 This interactive workshop is designed to equip nonprofit leaders, staff, and board members with the confidence and skills to share their organization’s story. Participants will enhance their ability to connect with donors, inspire volunteers, and amplify their organization’s impact. ​ Key Learning Objectives: Understand the Fundraising Cycle:

The Montana Performing Arts Consortium (MPAC) is pleased to announce it is the recipient of an FY 2026 grant award of $17,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts’ Grants for Arts Projects program. This funding will support the 2026 Artist Showcase and Conference in Helena and professional development programs for the MPAC performing arts community. “The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support opportunities across the country for Americans to experience and pa

Buzz Brass performs at the Libby Memorial Events Center Past MPAC showcase artists Buzz Brass are currently touring Montana, bringing their signature blend of virtuosic brass playing, humor, and audience-friendly programming to communities across the state. The tour launched with an enthusiastic response in Libby presented by the Kootenai Heritage Council , where audiences enjoyed the group’s Famous Inspirations program. Presenters described the evening as a standout, praisin

For one unforgettable weekend, the Belt Performing Arts Center came alive with rhythm, soul, and fast footwork as Solomon Jaye brought his electrifying show Tap Into Soul to central Montana. Blending multi-octave vocals with world-class tap dancing, Tap Into Soul moves effortlessly across generations—celebrating classic soul favorites while weaving in contemporary hits. Backed in Belt by Great Falls native Dylan Bautista, a jazz piano professor at the University of Montana, t

With Emily Wolfram, Executive Director, MPAC Workshop presented on Thursday, January 29, 2026 What's in this session? General information about booking conferences juried vs. independent showcases, other conferences in North America Review of the MPAC conference schedule, goals, key events for artists/agents Walk through of the application process preview of iwanttoshowcase.ca, tips for your application Resources to help you get to the conference and more! funding $$$ f