Clockwise starting top left

Plein Air Paintout Artist Wanda Mumm, Hockaday Museum of Art

“Little Shop of Horrors” Alpine Theatre Project Photo by company

Glacier Symphony & Chorale Photo by company

Montana Artreprenuer Program Artist Booth, Western Design Conference, Jackson, WY. Photo: Marti de Alva

Step Afrika at Alberta Bair Theater

Exterior sign on Fort Benton Elementary School Photo: Anthony Cesare

2 Montana: Creativity at Work Table of Contents

The Foundation for It All...... 4 The Planning Process...... 6 A Framework for Economic Vitality Frame #1: Careers and Connections...... 8 Frame #2: Market Expansion ...... 10 “Big River” Grandstreet Theatre A Framework for Arts Learning Photo: Jeff Downing Frame #1: Life-long Learning...... 12 Frame #2: Preschool - Grade 12...... 14 A Framework to Promote the Public Value of the Arts Frame #1: Creativity and Innovation ...... 16 Frame #2: The Three Rs – Relationships, Relevance and Return on Investment ...... 18 Frame #3: Challenges and Solutions...... 20 Sources of Input and Research...... 22 Grandstreet Theatre Photo: Tom Cordingley Partners...... Back Cover

1,500 copies of this public document Development of this Operating Framework were published at an estimated cost was funded by the State of Montana and the of $1.33 per copy, for a total cost National Endowment for the Arts. of $2,000 which includes $2,000 for printing and $0 for distribution.

Table of Contents 3 The Foundation for It All

Vision Statement Montana is known far and wide as “The Land of Creativity,” where the arts are essential Montana Arts Council to the creativity, imagination and entrepreneurship that make Big Sky Country the very members involved in this plan’s development best place on Earth to live, learn, work and play. Mission Statement Cyndy Andrus, Chairman Bozeman The Montana Arts Council, an agency of state government, develops the creative Jackie Parsons, Past Chairman potential of all Montanans, advances education, spurs economic vibrancy and revitalizes Browning communities through involvement in the arts. Tom Cordingley, Vice-Chairman Helena Founding Legislation Karen Bohlinger, Helena In recognition of the increasing importance of the arts in the lives of the citizens of Corky Clairmont, Arlee Montana, of the need to provide opportunity for our young people to participate in J. P. Gabriel, Bozeman the arts and to contribute to the great cultural heritage of our state and nation, and Mark Kuipers, Missoula of the growing significance of the arts as an element which makes living, working and vacationing in Montana desirable to the people of other states, the Montana Arts Tracy Linder, Molt Council is hereby created as an agency of state government. Arlene Parisot, Helena (Statutory Authorization-Title 22, Chapter 2, Montana Codes Annotated; Enacted 1967) Jay Pyette, Havre Rob Quist, Kalispell The agency is funded by the State of Montana and, at the federal level, through the National Endowment for the Arts. Kathy Schlepp, Miles City Allen Secher, Whitefish Jean Steele, Hamilton Youpa Stein, Arlee Judy Ulrich, Dillon Jane Waggoner Deschner, Billings Wilbur Wood, Roundup

This publication is designed by Above Left: Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre. Photo: Ari Dennison. Center: Montana Circle of American Masters Parriera Graphic Design. artist Deb Essen. Photo: Marti de Alva. Right: bronze sculpture by Montana Circle of American Masters artist Cody Houston. Photo: Kathe LeSage.

4 Montana: Creativity at Work, The Foundation For It All his Framework is a guide for the TMontana Arts Council’s work from 2014 through 2018. It is meant to be an evolving, responsive tool that can be adapted to address new opportunities and Montana Arts Council staff unforeseen challenges in the years ahead. involved in creation and In addition to this Framework, the agency implementation of this plan (at date of publication) produces an annual work plan outlining specific strategies to achieve the goals set Arlynn Fishbaugh Executive Director forth in the Framework. Annual work plan Carleen Layne accomplishments are also reported. Accountant Cinda Holt For the latest information, visit art.mt.gov. Business Development Specialist Beck McLaughlin Arts Education and Web Services Director Cindy Kittredge Folk Arts and Market Development Specialist Kristin Han Burgoyne Grants and Database Director Emily Kohring Arts Education Director Kim Baraby Hurtle Percent-for-Art Director KarenDe Herman, Administrative Specialist Czelsi Kozak Intern

Photos Special thanks to: Above: Montana Dance Arts Association class Paul K. Stahl | Drew Geiger | John Barsness | Patty Bergquist Photo: Charlene White Public Value Partnerships Grantees | Arts Education Partnership Grantees Center: Montana Circle of American Masters artist Birdie Real Bird. Photo by artist Kristi Niemeyer | Sue Bearse | Mark H. Moore | Jeff Lovely Right: “Going Viral” Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre Photo: Robin P. Murray

Montana: Creativity at Work, The Foundation For It All 5 Designing the Framework: Three Strands Emerge from the Research Economic Vitality • Artists identified these predominant needs: career and market development assistance, training in “Aruina” at the Archie Bray Foundation by artist Robert Harrison. Photo: Nelson Guda marketing and business development skills, and creative partnership development. • Arts organizations continue to value operational support funding, as Planning Process well as professional development in fundraising, marketing, governance and community leadership issues. The Drawing Board • Montanans would like to see This Framework was designed through a expanded technology used to overcome process that captured the interests and geographic isolation, provide services opinions of over 3,500 Montanans: and lessen communication barriers. Arts Learning • Artists, arts organization staffs, boards and volunteers and arts educators • Arts education funding and programming remain a strong need. • Political and tribal leaders and The agency will continue to seek members of the general public deeper integration of the arts into key It incorporates research and information state education programs. gathered through: • People want access to high-quality experiences that provide an “CoMotion Fire” CoMotion Dance Company • Electronic and paper surveys Photo by company opportunity for life-long learning in • Focus groups and workshop the arts, in addition to programs that evaluations provide all the arts for students in all • Personal interviews and evaluations the schools. A complete listing of research avenues and Public Value sources of input is included on page 22. • Political leaders in Montana value Montana Named a Top Overall Growth Performer efforts that produce return on and #1 in Innovation in Nation investment, entrepreneurial spirit, community trailblazers, hard-working “While Montana’s energy and mining clusters add a partners, outstanding communities, combined 8,400 high-paying jobs to the state since 2002, creative minds and lasting legacies. Montana’s greatest resource of national dominance came • Public value, defined as services, from the collection of arts, entertainment, recreation and programs and products valuable visitor industries…” to Montanans and worthy of state investment, is a key benchmark for all US Chamber of Commerce 2010 report: Enterprising States: Creating state agencies and needs to remain in Jobs, Economic Development and Prosperity in Challenging Times the forefront of the arts council’s goals.

6 Montana: Creativity at Work, Planning Process “Come on over for a visit. I live 30 miles outside of Malta and I’m the second driveway on the left.” Malta Rancher

Montana Artrepreneur Program artist Dan Palagi

“Wizard of Oz” Missoula Children’s Theatre • Montanans value the arts and believe Photo by company they are important to their quality of life. State funding for the Montana Arts Council must grow to implement the priorities outlined in this plan.

Our Landscape • Montana leaders have placed a focus with arts educators, hundreds of • Montana is filled with outstanding artists on American Indian communities in arts organizations and thousands of and arts organizations of all genres. They Montana and the value of their culture artists. The public value produced create an environment that attracts other and traditions. Many outstanding by this industry is recognized by accomplished artists as well as new and Indian artists in our state can more Montanans – whether through emerging artists. Their work as talented potentially benefit from this focus. economics, education, community artists and arts educators fuels the • Montana is generally well connected to vitality or aesthetic satisfaction. environment of creativity that exists in internet services, and the infrastructure Endeavors to make the connection Montana. is in place to allow all sectors of the between the arts and people’s • Accreditation standards for Montana’s population to develop newer methods everyday lives have been working and middle and high schools require of doing business and to stay in touch must be continued. curriculum in the arts, yet some schools with current trends. Montana is a large • Efforts to increase arts funding at local, in the state have no arts teachers. and sparsely populated state where state and national levels have met with K-12 arts education has been further technology is quickly breaking down some success, but there is still a long threatened by budget cuts and other traditional geographic isolation. way to go. policy decisions that impact school • By 2025, Montana will have the third curriculum. There is little information oldest population per capita in the available about arts learning in the country, prompting the arts council On the Horizon: preschool environment. to re-prioritize issues that involve Montana, The Land • Cultural and heritage tourism are the arts, such as health and healing, valuable economic arenas in Montana. access to affordable health insurance, of Creativity New partnerships among individuals, accommodating people with disabilities The arts are a great source of hope communities, and statewide or national and providing access to, and life-long for the future of Montana, providing learning in, the arts for all Montanans. resources could open the door to a much enormous pleasure and satisfaction while broader range of tourism promotion and • The Montana Arts Council serves encouraging the public towards greater programs in the future, greatly benefiting the public through promotion of entrepreneurial thinking, creativity, and both the arts and tourism. the state’s arts industry; working problem solving for a brighter future.

Montana: Creativity at Work, Planning Process 7 A Framework for Economic Vitality Creativity at work boosts careers, economies and community vitality Economic Vitality Frame #1: Careers and Connections

Outcome We Want: Why We Do It: How We Do It: Healthy careers and vibrant businesses Promoting careers and connections • Provide workshops, grants, awards, are built and enjoyed by artists and the through professional development programs, mentorships, peer-to-peer staff and boards of arts organizations in (research and learning opportunities) and learning and customized consultations every rural and urban region of the state networks (local, regional, statewide and for artists, arts educators and arts national) align with the state’s workforce organization leaders to build skills development efforts and are high-priority in teaching, business, fund raising, needs for artists, arts administrators and audience development, legal issues educators throughout Montana and leadership/governance Competencies in business skills, • Connect artists, arts educators and arts teaching the arts and making creative organizations to resources for capital “…the homegrown talents of and economic connections across larger and infrastructure support, including people in rural areas and on networks increase the opportunity to Americans with Disabilities Act access reservations that have been successfully establish, stabilize and issues grow careers and increase revenues • Effectively use available honed over long periods of and income rural self-sufficiency are now communications technologies to produce publications, share arts being turned into commercial industry information resources and endeavors - knitters, research, and foster connections with weavers, woodworkers, local, statewide and national service canners and potters.” organizations • Utilize available technology to Regional Technology Strategies, Inc. maximize participation, facilitate grantsmaking and provide remote learning opportunities • Establish baseline measurements where applicable to track career growth • Produce State of the Arts newspaper, eNews, blogs and feeds for artists, arts organizations and arts educators

Montana Arts Council’s State of the Arts bimonthly newspaper

8 Economic Vitality Frame #1: Careers and Connections A Framework for Economic Vitality Creativity at work boosts careers, economies and community vitality

“One out of every 60 people in Montana’s labor force is a working artist.” 2013 Montana Department of Labor report Montana Artrepreneur Program artists exhibit their work at the annual Montana Economic Developers Association meeting. Photo: Cinda Holt

How We Evaluate It: Indications of Success: • Active networks advance • Document successful methods of artists’ • Artists’ business skills increase their knowledge, improve skills and career stabilization, business growth success and income as artists increase productivity for artists and continuing network involvement and arts administrators • More artists make themselves known through surveys and conversations with to MAC and their communities • Skills are developed that are used program participants as models of best practices of artists • Arts organizations see stability and/or • Assess outcomes of professional and arts administrators for other increased revenues development programs through review markets and communities both of evaluations that are generated by inside and outside Montana objective experts • Track, adjust and monitor agency activities and results through a staff Annual Work Plan that identifies and assigns specific tasks and includes measurable outcomes Consequences of Failure: • Necessary business skills and collaborations fail to develop for artists and arts administrators, resulting in less income and fewer jobs in the state • Arts organizations face increasingly unstable revenues and leadership • Networking and/or learning opportunities from peers are not available

Economic Vitality Frame #1: Careers and Connections 9 Creativity at work boosts careers, economies and community vitality Economic Vitality Frame #2: Market Expansion

Outcome We Want: Why We Do It: Expanded markets and audience-building When Montana’s artists and arts > Connect artists to networking opportunities for rural and urban artists organizations increase their income opportunities with entities that can and arts organizations, including: with sales of products and services, they provide market access for Montana • Greater exposure to marketing outlets improve the quality of their lives and art advance local and statewide economic and resources • Share industry information and growth, successfully compete globally provide custom consultations to arts • Increased exhibition, arts participation and enhance community vitality through organizations’ staff and boards to and performance opportunities their art and services develop income and expand audiences • Expanded distribution channels and promotion opportunities How We Do It: • Establish baseline measurements • Help artists learn more about where applicable to track artists’ entrepreneurship for market marketplace sales expansion: • Provide grant funding for community > Provide grass-roots learning through outreach, participation building and “My online income for the regional groups of artists working market expansion for arts organizations and artists first four days of December toward market readiness • Connect artists, nonprofit and for-profit 2013 has already exceeded my > Create a process for “market-ready certification” arts businesses to state cultural tourism entire December online income efforts and continually advocate for the > Develop pathways to online market arts’ inclusion in tourism promotion of 2012. All the marketing, expansion branding, social networking and other skills I learned in MAP are clearly paying off!” Montana Artrepreneur Program artist Rickie van Berkum, Raven Ridge Fiber Arts, Huson

Hand-wrought bedframe by Montana Circle of American Masters artist Randall Mundt. Photo by artist

10 Economic Vitality Frame #2: Market Expansion Creativity at work boosts careers, economies and community vitality “Montana artists and their businesses contribute to their community’s economic sustainability and health, and educational avenues. The work they produce supports an atmosphere of community building. Their work promotes a spirit of Montana.” Dr. Jan Boyle, independent evaluator of the Montana Artrepreneur Program

“Rising Brown” Montana How We Evaluate It: Circle of American Masters artist Tom Dean • Analyze success of artists’ marketing Photo by Kathe LeSage efforts through pre- and post-program in-depth surveys of income and inventory growth and distribution opportunities Consequences of Failure: Indications of Success: • Assess arts organizations’ audience • Sales stagnate or decline due to • Participating artists’ and arts growth and increases in the number severely limited access to markets or organizations’ revenues measurably of partnerships that help improve market opportunities improve organizational income via annual reports • Artists leave the state in order to access • More businesses make more Montana larger markets art available to customers • Review and analyze statistics and narrative responses of reports • Arts organizations’ audiences and • Artists participate in more markets earned revenue streams decline, from artists and arts organizations • Audiences grow and participation leaving them at risk of operating at a participating in MAC’s grant programs increases for arts organizations deficit or closing up the business • Assess content of tourism’s regional • Virtual/online market opportunities • Local businesses do not maximize and local marketing materials and are utilized by more artists and arts revenues that cultural tourism travel promotions for inclusion of organizations Montana’s artists and arts organizations marketing could provide • Tourism promotions and strategic • State’s accommodations tax revenues • Conduct economic impact studies of plans are infused with the arts individual artists and arts organizations do not grow as a result of longer stays by cultural tourists • Track, adjust and monitor agency activities and results through a staff Annual Work Plan that identifies and assigns specific tasks and, where

appropriate, includes measurable “All this and Dragonflies Too” outcomes Artist D.G. House. Photo by artist

Economic Vitality Frame #2: Market Expansion 11 A Framework for Arts Learning Provide access to quality arts learning to develop the creative potential of Montanans of all ages Arts Learning Frame #1: Life-long Learning

Outcome We Want: Why We Do It: How We Do It: Montanans acquire knowledge and • Opportunities for creative expression • Organize workshops for teachers, skills in the arts and experience life-long and aesthetic experience enhance teaching artists and arts organizations’ learning through creative expression, the lives of individuals and their staff on how to work with a diverse exploration and participation in the arts contributions to their communities audience of learners • Montanans value participating in and • Offer grants to develop artist Arts & Culture...and Aging celebrating their cultural heritage residencies, professional development Lifelong Learning in the Arts workshops, and strategic program planning in arts learning, as well as “Participation in arts classes operating support grants for arts for older adults has been organizations’ educational mission proven to increase quality • Offer technical assistance to staffs of life and improve physical of arts organizations, schools and libraries, as well as community, health (including flexibility, healthcare and social service coordination, balance, and organizations and government endurance); to reduce stress agencies to improve the accessibility of their programs and facilities and feelings of loneliness and to a diverse audience of learners isolation; and to reduce risk (Accessibility barriers can be: of Alzheimer’s disease and geographic, physical, emotional, age, related dementia.” economic, intellectual or cultural) • Provide leadership to enhance Grantmaker in Aging knowledge and understanding about Montana Circle of American Masters artist Bill Allison. Photo: Kathe LeSage the contributions of the arts and the value of arts learning through agency representation on statewide boards and collaboration with other state agencies, Montana Tribal Nations and state/national arts organizations

Montana Circle of American Masters artist Donovan Archambault Photo: Marti de Alva

12 Arts Learning Frame #1: Life-long Learning A Framework for Arts Learning

Creative Expression: Both Stimulates and Benefits the Older Brain “There are numerous psycho-social benefits of taking up any arts form, including memoir writing, playing a musical instrument, or painting landscapes, which lead to greater life satisfaction, increased passion, an enhanced sense of well being and increased ability to focus sharply, Montana Circle of American Masters artist Scott Enloe. Photo by artist as well as an expanded social community.” “The Vintage Years: Finding Your Inner Artist (Writer, Musician, Visual Artist) After Sixty” By Francis Toder, Ph.D. ©2013

How We Evaluate It: Consequences of Failure: Indications of Success: • Analyze available data to identify • Underserved Montanans cannot access • Opportunities for life-long learning in specific ways to: arts learning opportunities the arts are available in a wide variety of community organizations and are > Modify instruction to accommodate • Arts organizations and arts learning valued by their participants diverse learners programs have unrealized cultural and economic potential to build audiences • Interest in MAC’s arts learning > Reduce fees or support costs and participants programs and services is evident through subsidies or scholarships to statewide underserved populations • Loss or diminishment of our cultural heritage and ways of life • Grant applications are received on • Analyze results from follow-up surveys behalf of all 56 counties, seven Indian to determine if groups that receive reservations, Pre-K-12 children, adults professional development and/or of all ages, people with disabilities, technical assistance on accessibility patients, families and staff in healthcare indicate their programs are serving a facilities, and at-risk populations larger and more diverse audience • Review and analyze the expertise of artists on the Artists Registry for their abilities to accommodate their lessons Ceramics Class, Archie Bray Foundation for a diverse group of learners Photo: Rachel Hicks • Track, adjust and monitor agency activities and results through a staff Annual Work Plan that identifies and assigns specific tasks and, where appropriate, includes measurable outcomes

Arts Learning Frame #1: Life-long Learning 13 Provide access to quality arts learning to develop the creative potential of Montanans of all ages Arts Learning Frame #2: Preschool - Grade 12

Outcome We Want: Why We Do It: Montana Preschool through Grade 12 • To assure that every Montana student students (public, private and home has the opportunity to reap the school) study a curriculum aligned with emotional, intellectual, social, cultural the Montana Board of Public Education’s and economic benefits provided by a Standards for Arts high-quality education in the arts • To provide an avenue through arts curriculum aligned with the Montana How We Do It: Standards for Arts for Preschool • Provide technical assistance on through Grade 12 children to better curriculum development, assessment understand and make connections tools and resources in person, by among ALL curriculum areas telephone and on our website • To nurture the intellectual, social and • Organize workshops for teachers and physical skills that children develop teaching artists in assessment, lesson in the first five years of life through planning, classroom management, arts learning experiences in the early and integration of the arts with other childhood setting subjects such as STEM (science, Artists in Schools and Communities workshop with • To enable all students, through an technology, engineering, mathematics) artist Alana Derocchi, Holter Museum of Art Photo by company education that includes the arts, to: • Offer grants to develop arts curriculum, > Learn the fundamental skills and assessment, professional development, knowledge of an art form student internships/mentorships and artist residencies “The real product of arts > Develop the habits of mind that lead education is not the works of to a whole, healthy engaged citizen • Partner with Montana Office of Public art, but the child.” of the world Instruction (OPI) to adapt, revise/ create curriculum and identify best > Discover different avenues of Lois Hetland, arts educator and practices to support the Montana co-author “Studio Thinking: The Real learning (through hands-on Standards for Arts which includes Benefits of Visual Arts Education” 2007 participation) integrating quality Indian Education > Develop the 21st-Century for All content in the standards and Skills (Creativity, Collaboration, instructional practices Communication and Critical • Provide leadership to enhance Thinking) necessary to succeed in Montanans’ knowledge and Montana’s workforce and the global understanding about the critical economy importance of arts learning through > Access and understand our cultural agency representation on statewide heritage, which includes, among boards and state/national arts others, the distinct and unique education organizations cultural heritage of American Indians in Montana

14 Arts Learning Frame #2: Preschool - Grade 12 “The arts let me bring out who I really am through my personal creative projects.” “Art helps me understand everything about life!” Blackfeet Reservation, Browning High School students

Indications of Success: • Students achieve the fundamental skills and knowledge stated in the learning objectives for MAC’s residency grants Artists in Schools and Community residency, with artist Wanxin Zhang, Holter Museum of Art Photo by company • Pre-schools and schools find the rewards of including the arts as part of the curriculum so compelling that they How We Evaluate It: Consequences of Failure: increase their requests for technical • Determine if school and preschool • Too many Montana students do not assistance, professional development residency grants have: have the opportunity to study the arts and artist residency grants and achieve the significant intellectual, > Clear and measurable learning • MAC, OPI and educators across the educational, cultural and economic objectives that are aligned with the state collaborate on adapting and benefits that can result Montana Standards for Arts revising the Montana Standards • Arts learning programs are not widely for Arts and they are successfully > An appropriate process to assess available to nurture the intellectual, implemented to strengthen arts how well students achieved the social and physical skills that children curriculum in classrooms across learning objectives develop in the first five years of life the state > Detailed activities that meet the learning objectives • Gauge demand and need by the types of requests for technical assistance, professional development and artist residency grants • Track, adjust and monitor agency activities and results through a staff Annual Work Plan that identifies and assigns specific tasks and, where appropriate, includes measurable outcomes

“Wonka” Bigfork Playhouse Photo: Brach Thomson

Arts Learning Frame #2: Preschool - Grade 12 15 A Framework to Promote the Public Value of the Arts Convey the difference the arts make in the individual and collective lives of Montanans Public Value Frame #1: Creativity and Innovation

Outcome We Want: Why We Do It: How We Do It: Montanans utilize the power of the arts The arts produce creative minds. Creative • Produce examples and promote as a catalyst to develop creativity and minds develop whole, healthy, engaged research that support the connection innovative thinking human beings, and promote innovation. between the arts, creativity, innovation Creative enterprises fuel community and and whole, healthy, engaged human business development beings • Publish stories from Montana that illuminate the connections between the arts, creativity and innovation • Reward and recognize creativity and innovative artistic talent in the state • Work with the OPI to advance STEM to STEAM (Science- Technology- Engineering-Arts-Mathematics) • Serve as the catalyst, and provide pertinent information, for non-arts “Campion Necklace” Artist’s Innovation Award winner April Hale. Photo by artist industry leaders to carry the message of the creative and innovative benefits derived from the arts (Arts = Creativity = Innovation) • Council members connect with non- arts industry leaders in their regions to make the case for the importance “Naming Ceremony” Artist’s Innovation Award of the arts to foster creativity and winner Angela Babby. Photo by artist innovation

“I believe the arts help us use the part of our brain where innovation comes from…innovation after all is creativity even if it is being applied to something that already exists.” Science Investigator National Institutes of Health Rocky Mountain Laboratory

16 Public Value Frame #1: Creativity and Innovation A Framework to Promote the Public Value of the Arts

“Blindsided” Montana Arts Council member and artist Tracy Linder. Photo by artist

How We Evaluate It: Consequences of Failure: • Investigate the impact the arts have • Montana is less able to attract “It’s a package deal. No on employee performance and well- businesses because the arts and technology without artistic being in non-arts industry businesses cultural environment is unknown or creativity!” and about the importance of their perceived to be weak community’s cultural strengths to their • A limited creative and innovative arts Software Designer, overall success through interviews, RightNow Technologies/Oracle conversations and surveys environment causes artists to relocate out of state • Track results of these strategies to assess how the arts are used as • Artists’ perspectives and innovative Indications of Success: solutions stay “under the radar” and a catalyst to drive creativity and • Arts leaders are actively engaged in are not recognized or acted upon innovation in economic, business and social, civic and cultural dialogues workforce development programs in outside of the arts communities • The arts as an industry is recognized the state • Montana’s reputation for (and ability to by other industries for its potential to produce) innovation is diminished • Track the presence of the arts in contribute to creative problem solving economic, business and workforce development programs of the state • Montana draws and keeps creative businesses, artists and entrepreneurs • Survey artists and arts organizations who contribute to a more vibrant about ways they support broader economy community needs • STEM will become STEAM (Science- • Analyze evaluation data from market Technology-Engineering-Arts- development and grant programs Mathematics) for creative and innovative business approaches • Non-arts industry businesses recognize and promote the importance of • Track, adjust and monitor agency the arts in attracting innovative and activities and results through a staff creative employees Annual Work Plan that identifies and assigns specific tasks and, where • The arts are included in the state’s

appropriate, includes measurable “Removable Beast” (album cover) Artist’s Innovation economic, business and workforce outcomes Award winner Andy Smetanka. Photo by artist development efforts

Public Value Frame #1: Creativity and Innovation 17 Convey the difference the arts make in the individual and collective lives of Montanans Public Value Frame #2: The Three Rs — Relationships, Relevance, and Return on Investment

Outcome We Want: Why We Do It: How We Do It: Utilize The Three Rs (Relationships, Montana Arts Council funding for arts • Find and define the relevance Relevance and Return on Investment) organizations, artists, events, programs (connections, common values, goals to build bridges that connect the arts and arts education is very important to and outcomes) among the fields of art, world to the worlds of politics, education, improve the quality of life and enhance politics, education and commerce economics and civic engagement the business climate of the state • Initiate opportunities to establish A greater understanding of the return The agency spends state and federal relationships among the arts council, on investment of public dollars and tax dollars on its programs and it artists and arts organizations and statewide support for resources for all demonstrates to the public the return on those who fund or provide services the arts will emerge investment of these tax dollars for the arts including civic, tribal and governmental leaders, as well as the private sector • Continue to build relationships with leaders of Indian Country in Montana, state tourism office and other state agencies • Initiate strategic investments and/or activities in non-arts social, civic and economic sectors to promote the public value produced by artists and arts organizations Adventures in Music Day, Billings Symphony Sunburst Community Foundation Photo by company Photo by company • Partner with arts organizations’ leadership and with artists to promote their own Three Rs: “Today, in the middle of the recession, > Build Relationships with arts younger artists are increasingly audiences, funders, community entrepreneurial and are starting a rash and political leaders that will result in greater support of their mission of businesses from software development and work to clothing design. We know that MAM > Show how their mission and is a cultural anchor, and along with The work is Relevant to audiences and University of Montana, has helped to supporters to increase participation grow the young artist community. These (Relevance = Connection = artists go on to have thriving art careers Meaning) and contribute design and creativity in > Show how their mission and Return on Investment produce many industries.” public benefits Missoula Art Museum (MAM), MAC Public Value Partnerships grantee

18 Public Value Frame #2: The Three Rs “The Hockaday Museum of Art is not all things to all people; Public Value Frame #2: The Three Rs — rather, it is something uniquely special to each person who experiences it. To the first grader on a school field trip, the Relationships, Relevance, and Return on Investment Hockaday begins as a big, old building filled with paintings and sculptures by “famous dead people.” Soon everything and everyone comes to life in stories told by enthusiastic docents, and through carefully designed art projects that fit the child with artists’ shoes for a magical hour. These children carry their museum experiences home to their families and into their adult lives.” Great Falls Symphony Cascade Quartet. Photo: Scott Photography/Design: Renaissance Creative Hockaday Museum of Art, MAC Public Value Partnerships grantee

How We Evaluate It: Consequences of Failure: • Collect data from artists and arts • Funding for the arts from state and organizations about their interaction local resources is restricted or reduced with civic organizations such as • Resources for market development and Chambers of Commerce, Lion’s Clubs arts partnerships efforts decline and other social service organizations, local governments and churches • The arts field is not at the table to help define quality education, civic • Collect stories from artists and arts and economic vitality, and the arts organizations on their efforts promoting are still considered “extra” instead of their Three Rs (Relationships, Relevance “essential” to quality of life and Return on Investment) • Track, adjust and monitor agency Indications of Success: activities and results through a staff • Increased resources are available Annual Work Plan that identifies and for artists and arts organizations due to assigns specific tasks and, where a greater understanding of their public appropriate, includes measurable value outcomes • State funding increases for the Montana Arts Council, and more people of all abilities and incomes statewide benefit from its arts programs and services • Engaged artists and arts organizations actively participate in community and statewide efforts of civic involvement, economic growth and issues of quality of life • The arts council remains a connector Intermountain Opera Run and centralized resource for the state’s Writer Maile Meloy at Montana Festival of the Book Photo by company arts industry Photo by company

Public Value Frame #2: The Three Rs 19 Convey the difference the arts make in the individual and collective lives of Montanans Public Value Frame #3: Challenges and Solutions

Outcome We Want: Why We Do It: How We Do It: Innovative and creative solutions for Creativity, innovation and the arts are • Position “public value” (the impact of many challenges and new opportunities catalysts for new and expanded ways of services and programs on the public) facing Montana and its leaders are thinking, seeing and solving problems as a litmus test for prioritization to arrived at through the involvement of address: The arts council seeks to effectively arts organization leaders, artists and respond, in creative and innovative > Agency funding and resource arts educators ways, to new opportunities and to the challenges state’s educational, economic and > Sound, strategic investments with civic challenges agency dollars and staff, including making realistic decisions about capacity > Ability to be nimble and have flexible responses to the potential impact of new directions within agency programming and project funding decisions • Anticipate new directions and challenges that will be important to the lives of Montanans and their communities, including: > Populations - changing demographics in the state (including age, race, ethnicity, geography, income)

“Art is the River” Artists in Schools and Communities workshop with artist Marina Weatherly > Health - healthcare and aging

“…around the world the arts are emerging as an important and integral component of healthcare. In two recent surveys, nearly half of the healthcare institutions in the United States reported having arts in healthcare programming.” State of the Field Report, 2009, National Endowment for the Arts and Society for the Arts and Healthcare

Flathead New Horizons Band. Photo: Brenda Clark

20 Public Value Frame #3: Challenges and Solutions > Technology – accessibility, Consequences of Failure: communications and trends • The arts world finds itself “behind the > Access - resources for all Montanans, curve” and is not considered a vital regardless of the remoteness of their part of problem-solving discussions for locations changing communities Indications of Success: > “Big Data”– current nationwide and • Communities do not experience the • The arts council is an equal and worldwide arts industry research vibrancy and positive results of arts- important partner to help advance • Define and convey to those who driven initiatives that bring people solutions to many of the state’s affect state and local resources how together during times of change and challenges their challenges can be met through uncertainty, and that preserve and plan for Montanans’ vision of their future • Leaders in the arts sit at the table for increased revenues and resources for state- and community-wide discussions the arts about the needs of changing • Build a statewide coalition to mobilize populations and demographics and college and university faculty, school other impacts on community vitality administrators, superintendents, parent organizations and school board members to advocate for arts learning in the schools • Build a network of resources for “Learning other ways to view artists’, arts educators’ and arts organizations’ capital and infrastructure processes and resources is the support (including Americans With only way to a better future. Disabilities Act access issues) Only science and the arts • Pursue diverse streams of revenue ACCESS 24/7 teach people that there are to increase the agency’s financial other ways to view things and resources or other resources Image by Czelsi Kozak provide concrete examples.” • Continually optimize agency performance and staff continuity/ Software Designer, RightNow succession planning Technologies/Oracle • Council members exercise leadership for agency operations to increase public value: they are active committee members and the best informed council they can be

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. Photo: Mark Kuntz

Public Value Frame #3: Challenges and Solutions 21 MAC asked Montana artists throughout the Sources of Input state to take the survey: 43 respondents. Targeted Research Montana Arts Organizations Public Poll A Report on the Status of Arts Through SurveyMonkey, arts organiza- Montana Chamber of Commerce Poll tion leaders responded to questions about This poll of the general public (via tele- Education in Montana 2009-2010 organizational strength and characteristics, phone) asked their opinion about the School Year future outlooks and needs, as well as as- importance of, and appropriate levels In partnership with WESTAF, in-depth con- sessing MAC programs and services, and versations were conducted with principals, technology and social media usage: 159 for, government funding for the arts: 450 superintendents and head teachers. The respondents. respondents. results are their perceptions of the state of Blackfeet Tribal High School Students Program Evaluations arts education in their schools. Of the 847 A hardcopy survey was completed by Artists in Schools and Communities elementary, middle and secondary schools high school students in Browning, on the Annually, 50 education sponsors provide in Montana, 313 participated. Blackfeet Reservation. Indian students pro- feedback on MAC’s Artists in Schools and Direct-Care Health-Care Providers and vided insight about how the arts are viewed Communities residency programs, includ- Health Care Administrators and integrated in their personal, educational and family/community lives. They also re- ing program effectiveness and teacher Representatives of the Montana Hospital competency. Association, Montana Medical Association, sponded to questions about technology and Montana Nurses Association and Montana social media usage: 92 respondents. Montana Education Association Art Therapists Association helped distribute Montana Arts Council Members Workshops an in-depth survey to health-care providers, In August 2012, 13 of 15 members of the Annually, 100 participating teachers pro- administrators, arts organizations and artists: Montana Arts Council participated in an vide feedback on workshops in the arts 108 medical professionals responded, electronic survey to capture their thoughts presented by MAC at the annual Montana as did 490 individual artists and 59 arts on issues relevant to the agency’s 2014-2018 Education Association-Montana Federations organizations. strategic planning efforts. Half of the mem- of Teachers statewide teacher conference. bers have served up to four years on the Teachers are also asked to make recom- Oracle/RightNow Technologies council, and the other half have served five mendations for future teachers. Hardware and software engineers for the years or more. A Report on the Montana Bozeman-based tech company RightNow Artrepreneur Program (MAP) Technologies (purchased by Oracle) re- Performing Artists and Writers sponded to our survey that inquired about Performers and writers were asked what 2008-2012 the role the arts play in their careers, life- information they would find most helpful in This report provided insight into what best long learning and innovation in their work: both State of the Arts newspaper technical encourages an individual to thrive and 66 respondents. assistance and on Facebook. The agency succeed as an adult learner as an artist learned from its Artist Survey, mentioned participating in the Montana Artrepreneur National Institutes of Health/Rocky above, that these two arts disciplines need Program. This in-depth research captured Mountain Laboratory increased attention: 43 performing artists participating artists’ economic goals and Principal investigators and administrators at and 61 writers responded. results, their desire to improve personally, Hamilton’s Rocky Mountain Laboratory (a Montana Artrepreneur Program and in their business of art. Quantitative lab of the National Institutes of Health) re- Artists’ Gathering and qualitative data from five instruments sponded to our survey that inquired about Artists participating in cohorts, or as cohort were analyzed in December 2012 from the role the arts play in their careers, life- coaches, responded to questions about participants involved in the 16 MAP groups long learning and innovation in their work: the transformative nature, and the eco- across Montana: 92 artists participated in 38 respondents. nomic impacts, of their experience: 154 one-on-one interviews and surveys. Arts-Based Surveys respondents. Montana Artrepreneur Program The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Cohorts 2012 Montana Artists Study The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation con- Participating artists completed in-depth This general survey (via SurveyMonkey) tracted with The Cultural Planning Group to evaluations of the Montana Artrepreneur asked for feedback on MAC programs, cur- collect data on their grantees who partici- Program’s learning components, economic rent needs of artists, and information about pate in the Marketplace Empowerment for impacts and cohort/networking aspects of technology and social media usage: 792 Artists initiative. The in-depth survey asked the program. In 2012, 154 artists responded respondents (self-identified as 157 perform- for both qualitative and quantitative infor- and 66 other artists responded to a general ers, 138 writers and 605 visual artists). mation from individual artists. As a grantee, MAP information request.

22 Montana: Creativity at Work, Sources of Input Program Grant Reports Montana Department of Commerce questions: Are our intentions clear? Do you MAC staff met with representatives of the like the plan? Are we missing something Artist in the Schools Residency Montana Department of Commerce to that is important to you? Legislators, the Program, T.E.A. (Teacher Exploration investigate shared priorities in supporting Governor and state and city government of the Arts) Program the growth of arts-based small businesses, leaders and members of the Montana Fifty sponsors and teachers respond an- and business-skills development for art- Economic Developers Association were nually to program accomplishments and ists through our Montana Artrepreneur asked to respond, as well as all the readers challenges. Program. of MAC’s newspaper State of the Arts (circu- Public Value Partnerships Program Montana Office of Tourism lation 10,000) that include all the artists and MAC staff met with representatives of the arts organizations that utilize MAC’s services Annually, 50 grantees provide stories about Montana Office of Tourism, and attends and programs. Number of respondents to The Three Rs (Relationships, Relevance and Tourism Advisory Council meetings, to keep the final draft: 37. Return on Investment): how they use public abreast of tourism priorities and ensure tax dollars to provide public value. integration of the arts and creativity in their Activities At A Glance Strategic Investment Grant Program tourism promotion efforts. Services and Programs operating at the start Approximately 30 to 40 annual grantees Create Montana of this plan, January 2014: provide statistical information as well as re- In 2010 MAC organized an arts education Economic Vitality sponses to the question “Why is this project leadership group comprised of high school Public Value Partnerships Operating Grants and university arts teachers, deans, super- worthy of state investment?” Strategic Investment Grants for the Arts intendents and arts-area supervisors to de- Cultural and Aesthetic Grant Program velop strategies to keep and strengthen arts Montana Artrepreneur Program Biennially, 80 to 90 grantees report on the education in schools. The Art of Leadership Professional Development Program public value of the activities undertaken in Office of Public Instruction (OPI) this program, administered by MAC, but Web-Based Resources (research, publica- MAC staff met with the Superintendent of tions, workshops, webinars, links) enacted by the legislature. Public Instruction, OPI’s curriculum direc- Staff Technical Assistance tor, STEM director, and staff for Content Interviews and One-on-One Standards and Indian Education for All to Arts Learning Conversations explore further integration of the arts in Artists in Schools and Communities learning, testing and evaluation. The OPI Legislative Listening Tours Residencies and Special Projects representatives also presented their priori- Arts Education Artist Registry Conversations were held among 15 legisla- ties and plans to council members during Teacher Exploration of the Arts Grants tors and MAC council members and/or staff 2012. Poetry Out Loud to discuss their personal political priorities Montana Arts Council Staff Interviews and histories, their concepts of good citizen- Adaptation for Using the Arts In Elementary All eight Montana Arts Council staff Classrooms (ADA) ship and how they view creativity in relation members participated in “Goal Mapping” Web-Based Resources (teaching videos, to the state’s future welfare. interviews responding to administrative, podcasts, research, publications, advocacy, Montana Cultural Advocacy personnel and future planning ideas and links) challenges. Targeted conversations of advocacy repre- Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeships sentatives and MAC staff with 40 legislators Public Meetings Staff Technical Assistance took place to discuss the public value of the MAC staff held meetings with mem- Public Value arts and shared priorities. bers of Montana’s Statewide Service Artist’s Innovation Awards Organizations (Montana Performing Arts Governor’s Office of Economic Montana Circle of American Masters Development Coalition, Museum and Art Gallery Directors Association and Montana Association of Cultural and Aesthetic Trust Legislative MAC staff met with representatives Symphony Orchestras) to gain feedback on Grants of the Governor’s Office of Economic agency priorities and current services and Montana Poet Laureate Development to discuss state priorities and programs: 285 total participants. Percent for Art Program have a dialogue about how the arts, in- Public Feedback on the Drafted State of the Arts Newspaper novation and creativity support economic Operating Framework Arts Calendar development through job creation and ex- Throughout the fall of 2013 MAC requested Web-Based Resources (research, advocacy, pansion, especially in rural areas throughout responses from the public to the final draft social media) the state. of the Operating Framework through three Staff Technical Assistance

Montana: Creativity at Work, Sources of Input 23 Partners Who Participate in Activating the Operating Framework:

Economic Vitality Partners Montana licensed and endorsed arts Grandstreet Theatre Creative Capital, Inc. educators (music, theatre, visual arts) Great Falls Symphony Montana Office of Public Instruction Governor’s Office of Economic Hamilton Players, Inc. Indian Education for All Development Helena Presents/Myrna Loy Center Montana Standards for Arts Montana Ambassadors STEM (Science, Technology, Hockaday Museum of Art Montana artists of all disciplines Engineering, Mathmatics) Holter Museum of Art Montana Association of Chambers of Montana Office of the Commissioner of Intermountain Opera Association Commerce Higher Education Livingston Center for Art & Culture, Inc. Montana Community Foundation Montana Parent Teacher Association MAPS Media Institute Montana Department of Commerce: Montana School Boards Association MCT, Inc. Made In Montana/International Trade Montana teaching artists Missoula Art Museum Relations Department Montana Tribal Colleges Missoula Cultural Council Montana Department of Labor and Montana Tribal Councils Missoula Writing Collaborative Industry Montana University System Montana Ballet Company Montana Economic Developers’ National Assembly of State Arts Agencies Association Montana Museum of Art and Culture National Endowment for the Arts Montana Repertory Theatre Montana Office of Tourism VSA Montana Montana Shakespeare in the Parks Montana Statewide Arts Service Organizations Western State Arts Federation North Valley Music School Montana Tribal Colleges Public Value Partners Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art Montana Tribal Governments Alberta Bair Theater Southwest Montana Arts Council Montana’s arts educators Alpine Theatre Project Stumptown Art Studio Montana’s nonprofit arts organizations Archie Bray Foundation Sunburst Community Foundation Venture Theatre National Endowment for the Arts Art Mobile of Montana Verge Theatre Ravalli County Economic Development Big Sky Film Institute VSA Montana Authority Bigfork Playhouse Western States Arts Federation Children’s Theatre Waterworks Art Museum Billings Symphony Society Whitefish Theatre Company Arts Learning Partners Bozeman Symphony Society Yellowstone Art Museum Create Montana Butte Symphony Association Members of Montana Association of Statewide Service Organizations Symphony Orchestras Carbon County Arts Guild and Depot Montana Arts Gallery Members of Montana Dance Arts Montana Association of Symphony Association Clay Studio of Missoula Orchestras Members of Montana Performing Arts CoMotion Dance Project Montana Dance Arts Association Consortium Emerson Cultural Center Montana Performing Arts Consortium Members of Museum and Art Gallery Fort Peck Fine Arts Council Museum and Art Gallery Directors Directors Association Glacier Symphony & Chorale Association

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