Exploring Creativity: Yellowstone Art Museum Celebrates 60 Years

November 1, 2024

Article by Brooke Wagner | Photos by Renata Haidle

In 1964, amid a nation recovering from JFK's assassination, the Yellowstone Art Museum opened in Montana, transforming a former jail into a hub for artistic expression. The museum began its journey with gas at 30 cents and milk at 36, showcasing diverse artists and reflecting regional and contemporary trends. Now, 60 years later, YAM celebrates its anniversary as a premier regional museum, rich in history and committed to promoting artistic heritage.

The museum houses nearly 7,000 works, including paintings, sculptures, and mixed media from local and national artists. Curators blend vault pieces with current works for dynamic, rotating exhibitions. These include solo shows, thematic group exhibits, and educational programs and workshops for all ages, enriching community engagement. These initiatives foster a deeper appreciation for art and encourage community participation. Special events, such as artist talks, school field trips, and SummerFair, further enhance the museum's role as a cultural hub. Precious McKenzie, Director of Advancement at the YAM, said, “We want to reach as many people as we can all over town. The museum is accessible and welcoming of all visitors, no matter if they are professional artists or a casual observer who has never stepped inside an art museum before.”

The building itself is a work of art, featuring several gallery spaces for rotating exhibitions. The Mildred Sandall Scott gallery is the first to be encountered by guests entering the open foyer, which is brightly lit by floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase a view of a welcoming outdoor courtyard. The spacious promenade also provides a dramatic backdrop for private events, retreats, receptions, and other special occasions. A stroll upstairs leads to several other gallery spaces, each paired seamlessly with the art showcased within. From intimate smaller rooms to wide and expansive ones, each area flows into the next, beckoning visitors to explore what hidden treasure might be waiting to be discovered beyond the next corner.

While one might expect to find collections bent towards the Western genre at a museum in Montana, the YAM delivers these and far more. Highlights include pieces by notable artists like Charles Russel and Edgar Payne alongside more contemporary works that push the boundaries of artistic expression. McKenzie laughs, “Don’t expect it all to be cowboy art! Visitors might be pleasantly surprised to find a diverse representation of nationally recognized artists showcasing their work at the YAM.” The museum also stays rooted in the region's rich artistic legacy and recently featured an exhibition by two MSUB art professors. This Suspended Intervals offering collaborates with local artists Mark Earnhart and Jodi Lightner and combines sculpture with large-scale drawings. Described as addressing the “ideas of the mechanics of structural elements as well as the social glue that keeps communities working and moving together,” the work plays with the idea of balance between a collective group’s experience and a more individual one.

To conclude the 60th anniversary celebration, a unique piece of artwork has been commissioned. Entitled the I Remember Project, the YAM will join with nationally renowned artist Elizabeth Stone to create a piece that genuinely honors our community’s personal and public histories. The museum requested photographic negatives and slides from Billings locals, each representing a family's personal history. Together, these donations form a powerful narrative of regional identity. By involving the community, the museum makes art accessible, breaking barriers and encouraging diverse audience participation.

For the past 60 years, the Yellowstone Art Museum has existed to serve our community in the arts and beyond. The museum actively collaborates with schools, local artists, and cultural organizations to promote art education and appreciation. Artist talks hosted by the museum invite participants to engage with the art and the person who pours their heart and soul into its creation. In an age where the digital world can often dominate, the YAM continues to deliver on its core values, “inspire and educate curious minds of all ages,” and “connect the contemporary past and present” through art. The scope of reach goes beyond what is visible on the museum's walls. In 2007, a two-phased expansion campaign began, which resulted in the YAM’s innovative Visible Vault. Opening in 2010, the vault is a publically accessible art storage facility that houses the permanent collection in an open, visible fashion. The facility also includes an artist-in-residence studio and sets the YAM apart as one of the only art museums in the country that have placed their entire collection storage areas on public display.

As the YAM celebrates its 60th year, it looks to the future with optimism. Thanks to a grant from the Art Bridges Foundation, free admission has led to a 280% increase in visitors, marking a major success for the museum. Precious has no plans of slowing down anytime soon and is looking forward to a bustling holiday season, hosting WinterFair the first weekend in December. She says, “It would be a great place to find some handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts during your holiday shopping!” Through its diverse exhibitions and educational initiatives, YAM inspires creativity and fosters a deep appreciation for the arts in Montana. Whether you are an art aficionado or a curious visitor, the museum offers a unique glimpse into the region's rich artistic heritage.

Originally printed in the November 2024 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

Brooke Wagner

is a Southern girl at heart, but a Montanan by choice. She lives just outside of Billings with her husband and three children, ages 13, 11, and 6. She is a board-certified music therapist who enjoys cooking, spending time with her family, and hiding under the covers with a good book.

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