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Kootenai Heritage Council

EIN

84-1426645

501(c)3 nonprofit

PO Box 360

Libby

59923

Main Contact

Gary

Huntsberger

President

4062939643

Organization objectives (check all that apply)

We currently have a series and would like to reach a new audience.

Communities Impacted

Name the cities or towns where your programming has an impact

Libby, Troy, Bull Lake Area, Yaak Area

Name the counties where your program has an impact

Lincoln

Name all schools, community centers, and other facilities where you program outreach events. Please format as "name of school/facility, city/town" (e.g. CM Russell High School, Great Falls)

Libby Middle/High School, Libby - Libby Elementary School, Libby - Kootenai Valley Christian School, Libby - Libby Care Center, Libby - Troy Elementary School, Troy - Troy High School, Troy - Turning Winds residential Treatment Center, Yaak

Describe any other specific program, practicies, or strategies your organization employs to make a great impact in your area

The Kootenai Heritage Council offers "Ambassador" Program passes to our events at the Libby Memorial Center Season Series events. We target educators, first responders, healthcare workers, Forest Service workers and other groups through the season.

Application Narrative

How is the proposed season different from past programming

For the 2024-2025 Performing Arts Season here at the Libby Memorial Center, the Kootenai Heritage Council has strives to offer a variety of genres for our audiences. This Season several of our performances will offer "theme" nights. Based on the genre, the theme will have a different suggested dress, different beverages and food as well as different promotional and evening accents.

If you are taking an artistic risk in programming, what is it and why is it a risk?

The Kootenai Heritage Council manages and operated the Libby Memorial Center for the community. Our all-volunteer Board of Directors are responsible for the operation and maintenance of all of the facility's events as well as scheduling and production of our Annual Season Series. As Artists' Fees have recently, we find it challenging to continue to off the excellent and varied performances each year. So, we work hard to acquire additional funds to avoid the risk!

How is your performing arts series significant to your community?

The Libby Memorial Center is the only major facility in South Lincoln County for community events and professional performing arts events. Libby is at the "end of the road" as we tell our performers! South Lincoln County in northwest Montana contains the towns of Libby, Troy, and Yaak. With a population of approximately 12,000, south Lincoln County is very rural and nearly 70% of the county is federal and state forest lands. It is also a region that struggles economically. Through mill closings and lumber sale reductions, Libby and Troy have taken the brunt of the economic downturns of the last 30 years. The county has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state as well as low per capita income levels. The free and reduced lunch program in the schools serves over 65% of our students. We continue to maintain very resonable ticket prices. Many of our community members would not have the opportunity to enjoy live performaing artists without our Season Series.

​What is the audience you wish to reach? (E.g., Describe your current audience or new audience segments you wish to target.)

Libby has a high elderly population. The Kootenai Heritage Council always strives to expand our Season Series audiences to as many elderly as possible. We also constantly evaluate our performance offerings to increase the numbers of people in the 15-40 year old group.

How do you propose to reach this audience? (E.g., Describe program, operational, or marketing strategies that you will use to meet your goal.)

Students are admitted free of charge to all of our performances. We promote that heavily when we are infront of the schools during our Outreach programs. We are also offering an "Ambassador" ticketing program where each of our Board members will deliver a few Season Passes to acquaintances with the promise that they will bring a new audience member with them to the performance.

Promotion

Websites and social media

Season Brochure

Other online marketing

Do you use email marketing? 

yes

Subscription URL
Event calendars used

Marketing questions or goals:

The Kootenai Heritage Council is always looking for innovative ways to promote to potential audience members aged 20-40.

FY25 Season Info

Artist 1

Name

Rob Quist with Halladay Quist and Clara Wieck

Date(s)

11/1/2024

Performance Fee

2500

Outreach Fee

500

Artist 2

Name

The Wardens

Date(s)

1/24/2025

Performance Fee

3500

Outreach Fee

500

Artist 3

Name

Kate Voss and the Hot Sauce

Date(s)

2/15/2025

Performance Fee

3000

Outreach Fee

500

Artist 4

Name

Mari Black Trio

Date(s)

3/22/2025

Performance Fee

4000

Outreach Fee

500

Artist 5

Name

Ian Sherwood

Date(s)

4/25/2025

Performance Fee

3300

Outreach Fee

500

Artist 6

Name

Date(s)

Performance Fee

0

Outreach Fee

0

Artist 7

Name

Date(s)

Performance Fee

0

Outreach Fee

0

Artist 8

Name

Date(s)

Performance Fee

0

Outreach Fee

0

Total Artist Fees

18800

$

Explanation for unusually low or high numbers

Artists based in, or originating from Montana

Rob Quist with Halladay Quist and Clara Wieck

Application Files

Some applicants have multiple PDF's for contracts. Please use the link below to open a folder on the cloud with all artist contracts/letters of intent.

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