E. L. Wiegand Creativity Center at the Holter

In the Helena, Montana area, there is no space where community members and local groups can meet in an environment that fosters a sense of safety, ensuring values of trust, health, community, stewardship, and collaboration. Through repurposing the Sherman and Millikan Galleries in the Holter Museum of Art, the Holter will provide better access to lifelong arts learning opportunities that ignite creativity in the Helena community. The Holter's new E. L. Wiegand Creativity Center - the "W" - will create an inclusive art space that engages and leads people to enrichment opportunities through thoughtful development of partnerships and programs that focus on art and creativity. The W will expand our arts education programming by creating a flexible physical space where important issues are addressed such as suicide awareness, homelessness, food insecurity, mental health and wellness, and the amplification of teen voices through the use of accessible arts activities for all.

A 2019 study shows that 268 individuals in Lewis and Clark County were homeless and that 1 in 7 county residents did not have sustainable access to food. 1 in 5 kids did not know where their next meal would come from. Montana also has the highest suicide rate per capita, resulting in it being the 2nd leading cause of death for teens in the Helena and East Helena area. Through our programming, the Holter’s educational focus is to inspire, connect, and offer holistic healing through the arts to all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Opportunities in the W will allow for experiences ranging from formal learning to playful experimentation and includes those created and led by Holter staff and Artists in Residency as well as those led by community members and organizations, meeting vocalized interests or needs from community members. To address and provide resources of these important community topics, all W programming will relate to current exhibitions in the museum to create a more immersive arts learning experience, as well as programming to bring awareness to current and important community issues, encouraging a safe space for all members of the community to support and grow from each other.

We believe that art is for everyone, connecting people from all walks of life. By creating the E. L. Wiegand Creativity Center inside the museum, the Holter will become a hub for creativity and closing the gaps between generations, backgrounds, cultures, and socio-economic statuses.

Specifically, the W will provide:

• Multi-functional space for meetings, educational experiences, and performances: we will create a flexible, centralized space filled with art supplies, technology, and other resources for public classes, workshops, art performances, demonstrations, and casual interactions/encounters by and for community members.
• Community Gallery: a space to showcase the work that has been created in classes/sessions as well as artwork created through our outreach programs. We will also work with young up-and-coming artists on how to progress their work and exhibition experience to a museum-quality level.
• Community Stage: a stage will allow for performances, demonstrations, and other movement-based art form programming including yoga, dance, and tai chi.
• Additional rental space: a flexible space for community groups and organizations for event rentals such as musical performances, workshops, and artist lectures, etc.

The ultimate mission of the W is to amplify community through accessible arts experiences for all, supporting creative, energizing environments that encourage visitors to get involved with opportunities that lead them to create, explore, and interact to build a stronger, more connected community. Through programming, events, and partnerships, the W will be able to revitalize the economic stability of Helena's downtown district, encouraging patronage to support locally owned businesses and continue Helena's vitality. The W will also be able to augment the need for arts education in the Helena area for our schools. Due to lack of funding, much of the arts curriculum has been cut from our county's schools. Our arts programming will allow teachers and other educators to include arts learning for our community's school-aged children. 

“I am excited for the opportunities that a Creativity Center at the Holter Museum of Art will fulfill in our town that is not currently being met by providing a safe space for many groups of people to feel at home and enjoy all that art can give. The center will strengthen our community and make our lives more vibrant.” – Jacqui Smith, local community member.