ARTS & CULTURE.
Play in Butte Montana
Butte is home to a growing community of diverse artists and cultural ambassadors passionately revitalizing and reimagining the traditions of our historically diverse community. From live music and theatrical performances to cultural festivals and celebrations, your next visit to Butte will be overflowing with opportunity. Our cultural district hosts a monthly art walk, weekly farmer’s market, and nightly music and entertainment.
Below you will find information regarding the various arts and cultural opportunities located in Butte. Additionally, you can find information about upcoming events at the Butte community calendar located at www.eventsinbutte.com
THE DIRECTORY
Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives
INFORMATION
Learn more about Butte’s mining, labor, lifestyle and family histories. The Archives occupies a historic fire hall built in 1900 and features an inviting reading room, friendly staff, exhibits, collections, photographs, public programming, small firefighter’s museum, and rotating displays. A knowledgeable staff is available to assist with research on Butte’s rich history. Services are available Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Learn more about Butte’s mining, labor, lifestyle and family histories. The Archives occupies a historic fire hall built in 1900 and features an inviting reading room, friendly staff, exhibits, collections, photographs, public programming, small firefighter’s museum, and rotating displays. A knowledgeable staff is available to assist with research on Butte’s rich history. Services are available Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Carle Gallery
INFORMATION
The Carle Gallery is located in the Butte-Silver Bow Public Library in historic uptown Butte, Montana. The gallery was established by the library as a tribute to artist John Carle, whose murals and paintings depict Butte, its historic buildings, and inhabitants. The gallery seeks to continue to honor and support local artists by providing an opportunity for them to present their work professionally and to begin a dialogue with the community about their art, as well as hosting exhibits by artists from outside of Butte.
The Carle Gallery is located in the Butte-Silver Bow Public Library in historic uptown Butte, Montana. The gallery was established by the library as a tribute to artist John Carle, whose murals and paintings depict Butte, its historic buildings, and inhabitants. The gallery seeks to continue to honor and support local artists by providing an opportunity for them to present their work professionally and to begin a dialogue with the community about their art, as well as hosting exhibits by artists from outside of Butte.
The Clark Chateau
INFORMATION
The Clark Chateau was constructed in 1898-1899 for Charles and Katherine Clark, oldest son of Copper King W.A. Clark. Today it is home to the Butte Symphony, Montana’s oldest symphony orchestra, and The Root & The Bloom Collective, a nonprofit humanities organization. The Clark Chateau features diverse public programming for all ages, exhibits, classes, and is available for events and engaging tours. The Chateau staff is dedicated to interpreting Butte’s fascinating history though the exploration of the humanities and invites visitors to share the experience.
The Clark Chateau was constructed in 1898-1899 for Charles and Katherine Clark, oldest son of Copper King W.A. Clark. Today it is home to the Butte Symphony, Montana’s oldest symphony orchestra, and The Root & The Bloom Collective, a nonprofit humanities organization. The Clark Chateau features diverse public programming for all ages, exhibits, classes, and is available for events and engaging tours. The Chateau staff is dedicated to interpreting Butte’s fascinating history though the exploration of the humanities and invites visitors to share the experience.
Imagine Butte Resource Center
INFORMATION
The Imagine Butte Resource Center (IBRC) hosts a growing community of thinkers and makers working together at the historic Phoenix Building in Uptown Butte. The center was first established in 2014 as a gathering place for creatives to begin making and learning with one another, exchange creative inspiration and craft expertise. Today, the IBRC is home to many diverse creative projects including the Foreground Gallery, Butte Arts Symposium, the Butte Arts Monthly publication and the Eye|Land Institute residency program. The IBRC offers support to community members by maintaining a collaborative meeting grounds and providing access to a growing collection of studio resources through workshops, exhibitions and events. The IBRC is always looking for new volunteers and members to learn and grow with the IBRC’s existing team of passionate thinkers, makers and doers.
The Imagine Butte Resource Center (IBRC) hosts a growing community of thinkers and makers working together at the historic Phoenix Building in Uptown Butte. The center was first established in 2014 as a gathering place for creatives to begin making and learning with one another, exchange creative inspiration and craft expertise. Today, the IBRC is home to many diverse creative projects including the Foreground Gallery, Butte Arts Symposium, the Butte Arts Monthly publication and the Eye|Land Institute residency program. The IBRC offers support to community members by maintaining a collaborative meeting grounds and providing access to a growing collection of studio resources through workshops, exhibitions and events. The IBRC is always looking for new volunteers and members to learn and grow with the IBRC’s existing team of passionate thinkers, makers and doers.
Mai Wah Museum
INFORMATION
Established for educational, charitable, and scientific purposes, including research and public education about the history, culture, and conditions of Asian people in the Rocky Mountain West. The Society, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, collects and preserves artifacts, preserves historic buildings and sites, presents public exhibits, and supports research and publication of materials of scholarly and general interest. Tours are available summer months, and by appointment in the off season.
Established for educational, charitable, and scientific purposes, including research and public education about the history, culture, and conditions of Asian people in the Rocky Mountain West. The Society, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, collects and preserves artifacts, preserves historic buildings and sites, presents public exhibits, and supports research and publication of materials of scholarly and general interest. Tours are available summer months, and by appointment in the off season.
Main Stope Gallery
INFORMATION
Main Stope Gallery is a gallery featuring the original artwork of local and regional Montana artists, including sculpture, painting, and photography.
Main Stope Gallery is a gallery featuring the original artwork of local and regional Montana artists, including sculpture, painting, and photography.
Martha Cooney Framed Art, Reproductions and Calligraphy
INFORMATION
Butte native and renowned artist Martha Cooney operates her gallery at 208 Blacktail Canyon Road. To schedule an appointment to visit Martha and view her collection please call 406.498.5368 or email simrio@aol.com.
Butte native and renowned artist Martha Cooney operates her gallery at 208 Blacktail Canyon Road. To schedule an appointment to visit Martha and view her collection please call 406.498.5368 or email simrio@aol.com.
Montana Tech Mineral Museum
INFORMATION
View educational displays and spectacular minerals from Montana and around the world. Prize specimens in the Montana collection include the Rheanna’s Star, an incredible smoky quartz cluster and the 27.5 oz. Highland Centennial gold nugget, both found in the Butte area. Additional exhibits include a fluorescent mineral display, and an earthquake hazards display including a live seismograph. The museum and gift shop are open for Summer Hours: 9 to 5, seven days a week- June 15 to September 15. Winter Hours: 9 to 4 weekdays. Closed on holidays.
View educational displays and spectacular minerals from Montana and around the world. Prize specimens in the Montana collection include the Rheanna’s Star, an incredible smoky quartz cluster and the 27.5 oz. Highland Centennial gold nugget, both found in the Butte area. Additional exhibits include a fluorescent mineral display, and an earthquake hazards display including a live seismograph. The museum and gift shop are open for Summer Hours: 9 to 5, seven days a week- June 15 to September 15. Winter Hours: 9 to 4 weekdays. Closed on holidays.
Mother Lode Theatre
INFORMATION
Built in 1923 by the Masons for the organization’s ceremonial services, the building was later transformed into a movie house and eventually leased to 20th Century Fox. In the 1990’s the Mason’s donated the theatre to the local government where a group of citizens formed the non-profit corporation, The Butte Center for the Performing Arts, who took over the renovation of the facility. Today the Mother Lode Theatre is the elegant venue for The Butte Symphony, Community Concert Series, Mother Lode Series and a variety of community events, and a plethora of culturally rich shows.
Built in 1923 by the Masons for the organization’s ceremonial services, the building was later transformed into a movie house and eventually leased to 20th Century Fox. In the 1990’s the Mason’s donated the theatre to the local government where a group of citizens formed the non-profit corporation, The Butte Center for the Performing Arts, who took over the renovation of the facility. Today the Mother Lode Theatre is the elegant venue for The Butte Symphony, Community Concert Series, Mother Lode Series and a variety of community events, and a plethora of culturally rich shows.
Old Butte Historical Adventures
INFORMATION
A series of guided walking tours highlight details of Butte’s colorful history from the 1890’s through the 1950’s. Three different tours are offered year-round by reservation. Come see Butte from the inside-out.
A series of guided walking tours highlight details of Butte’s colorful history from the 1890’s through the 1950’s. Three different tours are offered year-round by reservation. Come see Butte from the inside-out.
Piccadilly Museum of Transportation & Advertising Art
INFORMATION
View hundreds of unique transportation-related advertising items from the 20th Century from around the USA and countries abroad. Included in the display are signs, posters, gas pumps, old cars, railroading and Henry’s Garage. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, Monday-Saturday 10a.m.–4p.m. and the Offseason by appointment.
View hundreds of unique transportation-related advertising items from the 20th Century from around the USA and countries abroad. Included in the display are signs, posters, gas pumps, old cars, railroading and Henry’s Garage. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, Monday-Saturday 10a.m.–4p.m. and the Offseason by appointment.
Serbian Orthodox Church
INFORMATION
Adorning the walls and ceilings are hand-painted frescoes depicting Scripture in color as they visually convey the word of God. Separating the altar from the nave is the hand-carved Iconostasis Screen, built in Belgrade, Serbia. Tours are available by appointment.
Adorning the walls and ceilings are hand-painted frescoes depicting Scripture in color as they visually convey the word of God. Separating the altar from the nave is the hand-carved Iconostasis Screen, built in Belgrade, Serbia. Tours are available by appointment.
World Museum of Mining
INFORMATION
Explore more than 50 structures, ranging from the 100-foot headframe of the Orphan Girl Mine to the re-creation of a mining camp Hell Roarin’ Gulch. Half of the museum’s displays focus on the culture and ethnic history of an 1880’s to 1920’s mining town, while the other half provides a detailed look at the history of mining technology. Built on an actual historic mine site, the museum offers a unique underground mining tour. Open April- September, weather permitting.
Explore more than 50 structures, ranging from the 100-foot headframe of the Orphan Girl Mine to the re-creation of a mining camp Hell Roarin’ Gulch. Half of the museum’s displays focus on the culture and ethnic history of an 1880’s to 1920’s mining town, while the other half provides a detailed look at the history of mining technology. Built on an actual historic mine site, the museum offers a unique underground mining tour. Open April- September, weather permitting.
