The building in question is the old 1903 Missoula Carnegie Library. When the city outgrew the library they moved it to new quarters and the library became the Missoula Art Museum, a facility which collects, preserves promotes and displays art pertinent to the west and in particular Montana.
The collection began in 1973 with the purchase of three works, one each from Montana masters Walter Hook, Gennie DeWeese and Jessie Wilber and has grown continually since. The museum itself opened in 1975 as a Missoula County run organization. As well as their own collection the museum continually hosts new travelling exhibitions.
Missoula Art Museum
The Missoula Art Museum (MAM) strives to engage artists and audience in the creative exploration of contemporary art relevant to our community, state and region. Founded in 1975 and accredited by the American Association of Museums since 1987, MAM has always been a flagship institution in culturally savvy Missoula, Montana. MAM offers a spectacular attraction in the heart of the historic downtown: a fully accessible, free, public museum that boasts six exhibition spaces, a library, education center, bookstore, and an inviting information lounge.
The successful building design has seamlessly fused the 100-year-old Carnegie Library building with a contemporary addition, creating the ideal environment for exhibiting, celebrating, and preserving MAM's growing contemporary art collection.
With education at the core of its mission, MAM offers tours and classes for all ages, and collaborates with local art, literary and music communities to develop lectures and workshops. MAM also participates in the Flagship Art program, which takes visual, literary and performance art directly to Missoula's most at-risk children in partnership with area schools. MAM also offers classes through the Summer Art School. Programs like gallery tours, artist lectures and panel discussions are designed for every exhibit. MAM manages the Missoula County Art Collection, as well as its own collection, which is distinguished by the Contemporary American Indian Art Collection, and works from regional and local artists, including: Dale Chihuly, Jacob Lawrence, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Susan Stewart and E.S. Paxson.
MAM's acquisitions include work by Terry Melton, Preston Singletary (Tlingit), Branson Stevenson, Gail Tremblay (Onondaga Micmac). MAM has published dozens of artist catalogues throughout the years, which are for sale in the MAM Bookstore and online at
www.missoulaartmuseum.org.
From Visit Montana