Helena, Mont., September 14, 2021. As with most industries, those working in the arts have been deeply affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Shuttered performance venues, museums and art fairs closed, book events postponed or forced online, interrupted sales opportunities and other disruptions to the livelihoods of those in Montana’s creative economy have forced artists, performers and writers to look for alternate sources of funding. For a large number of Montana arts workers, funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has helped to support creative professionals during this time. With additional funding from the Governor’s Office of Budget and Program Planning (OBPP), the Montana Arts Council (MAC) has announced a total of $1,290,396 awarded in six rounds of funding. The first round of grantees was released in December 2020, and is available here.
Launched in June 2020, CARES grants were established to support nonprofit organizations, artists and cultural workers statewide, helping to offset the worst financial effects of the pandemic. Montana CARES Individuals grants provided up to $2,500 to artists in all disciplines, awarding a total of $979,049. Montana CARES Partners grants directed relief to recent Public Value Partnership (PVP) grantees, awarding $6,000 grants to 40 organizations for a total of $240,000. And Montana CARES Recovery provided resources for artists and non-profit organizations with public art programming; these $1,000 awards help offset costs related to postponed and canceled arts opportunities in 2020. The program distributed $71,347 to 36 individuals and 40 organizations.
“CARES grants have a been vital component in keeping artists working through the last eighteen months, and the Montana Arts Council will continue to support the state’s creative industry,” MAC Council Chair Cyndy Andrus commented. “As with Montana’s other industries and institutions, we can’t let the pandemic stop the arts from providing so much to our economy and quality of life.”
“This round of grants focused on the self-employed and micro-businesses, a sector that has struggled to secure relief funding. The artists supported by these grants are often overlooked anchors in local economies,” says MAC Executive Director Tatiana Gant “We know that these businesses keep their investments local, enhance business districts, and enrich their communities. MAC’s investment in this sector will have long-lasting outcomes for individuals and businesses alike.”
The arts represent a substantial portion of the state’s economy, contributing more than $1.5 billion or 3.4% of the total gross state product while suppling 15,666 jobs which generate $883 million in total compensation. Analysis estimates that Montana’s creative industries lost more than $223 million in sales between April and July of 2020 alone. Montana’s job losses in this area have also tracked higher than the national average— 94% of people working in creative fields have reported a loss of income due to COVID-19, and 71% percent have been burdened with added expenses during the same period.
CARES Individuals Awardees
Montana CARES Individuals acknowledges Montana artists as an essential component of the economy. Grant funds provided allowed artists to engage in their artistic practice. Artistic practice is broadly defined and includes artists, teaching artists, arts administrators, and other arts and culture workers. Funds were intended to help offset lost opportunities related to COVID-19, to be used toward creative efforts, and to support future success. Applicants were evaluated to equalize awards across geographic areas and disciplines.
Montana CARES Individual Awardees (December 2020–April 2021)
Applicant |
City |
Award |
Shane Abbott |
Harlem |
$2,500.00 |
Annette Allen Clark |
Lincoln |
$2,500.00 |
Earl Arkinson |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Andrew Avakian |
Missoula |
$1,845.00 |
Brian Azure |
Great Falls |
$2,500.00 |
Pete Azure |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Kathy Baker |
Harlem |
$2,120.00 |
Annabella Barks |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Luanne Belcourt |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Dana Berardinis |
Big Arm |
$2,500.00 |
Albert Bernard |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Brenda Bernard |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Mitchell Billis |
White Sulphur Springs |
$2,500.00 |
Joyce Black Wolf |
Hays |
$2,500.00 |
Ben Blackwood |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Lori Blaylock |
Billings |
$2,500.00 |
Kelly Bouma |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Kelsey Bowen |
Billings |
$2,500.00 |
Shakinah Brzezinski |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Latisha Buck Elk Thunder |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Victoria Burchill |
Bozeman |
$1,900.00 |
Sheri Burden |
Swan Lake |
$2,100.00 |
Sean Burress |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Andrew Butler |
Havre |
$2,500.00 |
Eric Carlson |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Jayce Carlson |
Browning |
$2,500.00 |
John Carter |
Missoula |
$1,884.00 |
Andrea Castillo |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Cora Chandler |
Billings |
$2,500.00 |
Chip Clawson |
Helena |
$2,500.00 |
Sneed Collard |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Michele Corriel |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Catherine Courtenaye |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Lester Crazy Boy |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Andi Daniel |
Havre |
$2,500.00 |
Kirsten Daniels |
Bozeman |
$700.00 |
Nicholas Danielson |
Helena |
$2,500.00 |
Sotirios Dasios |
Missoula |
$1,200.00 |
Tavin Davis-Kapor |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Cliff DeManty |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Margaret Denny |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Misty Denny |
Havre |
$2,500.00 |
Jamie Dobiesz |
Kalispell |
$2,500.00 |
Andy Dunnigan |
Whitefish |
$2,499.00 |
Andriana Eastwood |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Tammy Eigeman Thompson |
Kalispell |
$2,500.00 |
Edd Enders |
Livingston |
$2,500.00 |
Julie Engler |
Columbia Falls |
$2,500.00 |
Kyler Ernst |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Megan Eubank |
Livingston |
$2,500.00 |
Heidi Faessel |
Whitefish |
$2,400.00 |
Paul Fernandez Gomez |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Jill Ferris |
Columbus |
$2,500.00 |
Frank Finley |
Pablo |
$2,500.00 |
Vicki Fish |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Rocky Fitzgerald |
Browning |
$2,500.00 |
Donna Flanery |
Missoula |
$1,991.00 |
Matt Forbes |
Helena |
$2,500.00 |
Leticia Fortune |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Shannon Fox |
Hays |
$2,500.00 |
Joy French |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Carrie French |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Simone Friede |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Angelina Froke |
Livingston |
$2,500.00 |
Dante Gambardella |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Alonzo Gardipee |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Tyson Gerhardt Hirsch |
Missoula |
$2,100.00 |
Ron Gibson |
Lincoln |
$2,500.00 |
Lisa Gibson |
Lincoln |
$2,500.00 |
Michael Gillan |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Monica Gilles-BringsYellow |
Missoula |
$2,000.00 |
Patti Gregerson |
Marion |
$2,500.00 |
Michelle Guzman |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Nicolle Hamm |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Hermina Harold |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Andrea Harsell |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Scott Hayes |
Fairfield |
$2,500.00 |
Jackson Holte |
Lincoln |
$2,500.00 |
Robert Holter |
Helena |
$2,500.00 |
Leon Hoskins |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Gen Huitt |
Polson |
$2,500.00 |
Amber Ikeman |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Ronald Ingraham |
Browning |
$2,500.00 |
Keith Jackson |
Helena |
$2,500.00 |
Rebekah Jarvey |
Havre |
$2,500.00 |
Anna Jesaitis |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Tamara Jordan |
Lincoln |
$2,500.00 |
John Joyce |
Hardin |
$2,500.00 |
KJ Kahnle |
Hamilton |
$2,500.00 |
Anjuli Keller-King |
Eureka |
$2,497.00 |
Madeline Keller-King |
Eureka |
$2,500.00 |
Crystal Kingston |
Big Arm |
$2,500.00 |
Edis Kittrell |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Gloria Klind |
Hinsdale |
$2,500.00 |
John Knight |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Maranda Knopfle |
Heart Butte |
$2,500.00 |
Daniel Kosel |
Roberts |
$2,500.00 |
Daniel LaFranier |
Columbia Falls |
$2,500.00 |
Sharon Lamar |
Condon |
$1,500.00 |
Peter Landeen |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Sable Little Sun |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
L. Lohmuller |
Lewistown |
$2,500.00 |
Kristina Lucero |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Susan Luinstra |
Choteau |
$2,500.00 |
Michelle Luke |
Kalispell |
$2,500.00 |
Jayne Maginot |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Megan Makeever |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Carly Mann |
Billings |
$2,500.00 |
Bruna Massadas |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Judy Matt |
Lolo |
$2,500.00 |
George McCauley |
Helena |
$1,904.00 |
Bernice McGuire |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Deirdre McNamer |
Missoula |
$1,050.00 |
John Mercer |
Condon |
$2,500.00 |
Amy Messenger |
Kalispell |
$2,490.00 |
Miantae Metcalf McConnell |
Columbia Falls |
$2,500.00 |
Madeline Mikolon |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Chontay Mitchell |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Yvonne Molina |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Elise Molina |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Lauren Monroe |
Browning |
$2,500.00 |
Shawna Moore |
Whitefish |
$2,500.00 |
Amanda Morrison |
Helena |
$2,500.00 |
Amanda Morsette |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Kyle Nay |
Helena |
$2,500.00 |
Nathan Norby |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Jo Ogden |
Seeley Lake |
$2,070.00 |
Myron OldBull |
Havre |
$2,500.00 |
Brandy Olsen |
Billings |
$2,500.00 |
Terrisa Olson |
Missoula |
$750.00 |
Barbara Olson |
Billings |
$2,500.00 |
Michelle Osman |
Bozeman |
$2,220.00 |
Anna Paige |
Billings |
$2,500.00 |
Kurt Palmquist |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Krista Pasini |
Billings |
$2,500.00 |
Catherine Patten |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Doug Peacock |
Emigrant |
$2,500.00 |
Andrea Peacock |
Livingston |
$2,500.00 |
Tammie Peterson |
Browning |
$2,500.00 |
Bruce Pierce |
Manhattan |
$2,500.00 |
Adam Pitman |
Whitefish |
$2,500.00 |
Martha Powers Swanson |
Ovando |
$1,400.00 |
Scot Ray |
Philipsburg |
$2,500.00 |
Eric Reese |
Whitefish |
$2,500.00 |
Reid Reimers |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Alison Reintjes |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Dione Roberts |
Billings |
$2,500.00 |
Gerry Robinson |
East Helena |
$2,500.00 |
Jeffery Rodriquez |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Karen Savory |
Hamilton |
$2,500.00 |
Patricia Shirk |
Libby |
$2,500.00 |
Siesa Shuman |
Billings |
$2,500.00 |
Lauren Small Rodriguez |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Shana Smith |
Kalispell |
$2,500.00 |
Richard Smith |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Paula Smith |
Seeley Lake |
$2,500.00 |
Kyle Sorenson |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Sandra Sorrell |
Arlee |
$2,500.00 |
Pennell Spencer |
Bozemam |
$2,500.00 |
Joyce Spoonhunter |
Browning |
$2,500.00 |
Alden Spoonhunter |
Browning |
$2,500.00 |
Seraya Standing Rock |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Duncan Standing Rock |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Youpa Stein |
Arlee |
$2,100.00 |
Tianta Stevens |
Great Falls |
$2,500.00 |
Darrell Sun Child |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Saraya Sun Child |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
Misty Tatsey |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Bobbi Thomas |
Pablo |
$2,500.00 |
Judd Thompson |
Billings |
$2,500.00 |
Gail Torres |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Jacob Tyner |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Hannah Uhde |
Helena |
$2,500.00 |
Gregory Vallor |
Bozeman |
$800.00 |
Jeffrey Van Tine |
Clancy |
$2,500.00 |
Willem Volkersz |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Roger Watson |
Condon |
$2,500.00 |
Sarah Weaver |
Polson |
$2,500.00 |
John Weitzel |
Butte |
$2,500.00 |
Brianna West |
Billings |
$1,500.00 |
JP Westbrook |
Red Lodge |
$2,500.00 |
Diane Whitehead |
Ovando |
$2,500.00 |
Harry Whitford |
Box Elder |
$2,500.00 |
Richard Wiegel |
Bozeman |
$2,427.00 |
Scott Williams |
East Helena |
$2,500.00 |
Betsy Wise |
Bozeman |
$2,500.00 |
Hayden Woods |
Belgrade |
$2,500.00 |
Maura Wright |
Helena |
$2,500.00 |
Tanya Yarrow |
Missoula |
$1,500.00 |
Casey Zablocki |
Missoula |
$2,500.00 |
About the CARES Act
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided $2 trillion in federal economic relief to the nation. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress with bipartisan support and signed into law on March 27th, 2020. The more than $2 trillion economic relief package’s purpose is to mitigate the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19.
The CARES Act is designed to provide direct economic assistance for American workers, families, and small businesses, and preserve jobs for American industries.
About the Montana Arts Council
In 1965 Montana Annotated Code 22-2-102 established the MAC as an agency of state government. The MAC mission is to develop the creative potential of all Montanans, advance education, spur economic vibrancy, and revitalize communities through involvement in the arts. Fifteen individuals appointed by the Governor oversee the Montana Arts Council. More information can be found at art.mt.gov
Additional Resources
Montana Arts Council, https://art.mt.gov/
Americans for the Arts, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource and Response Center
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, Creative Economy State Profiles
Brookings Institution, Lost Art: Measuring COVID-19’s Devastating Impact on America’s Creative Economy
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