Missoula Montana Art Museum

The Missoula Art Museum is housed in a newly renovated building in keeping with its calling in downtown Missoula, Montana. An information lounge, a library, an education center, and six exhibition spaces besides works of various artists, would definitely seem to endorse their mission, which, according to the Board of Directors, is to educate, challenge, and inspire the community through the medium of contemporary art.

The Missoula Art Museum proposes free expression and free admission in a bid to awaken the dormant artist in the hearts of Missoulians, and anyone else who cares. They hold about 25 exhibitions to encourage artists from all over, in addition to a range of activities aimed at kids and adults, amateur and professional alike. Every second Saturday and third Thursday there are workshops and exciting performances happening here that encourage people to shed their artistic inhibitions.

The Museum displays art works dated from the 19th century and focuses mainly on artists from Montana. What sets this Museum apart, however, would have to be the Contemporary American Indian Art Collection that has pride of place. This attracts a sizeable audience and it can't just be the novelty value. If it's true that a picture speaks a thousand words, it's possible these pictures directly commune with visitors about an ancient culture.

The Museum is open 12 – 6 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, 12 – 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, and 10 a.m. -3 p.m. on Saturdays. From I-90 you need to take the Van Buren exit to Broadway where you turn right and keep going till the second traffic lights. It is located across from Hellgate Station Post Office on Pattee.