2026 Montana Festival Provides Vision For The Future Of The Treasure State

Speakers and panelists discussed several issues shaping Montana communities. One session featured representatives from Tippet Rise Art Center who talked about the role of art in Montana’s story. 

“We have recreationalists who come for a mountain bike ride or a trail run, and then they’re encountering, you know, abstract or contemporary outdoor sculptures that are tucked into the folds and topography of the land, having a completely different experience than one would typically expect when they’re out for a bike ride,” said Peter Hinmon, co-director of Tippet Rise Art Center. 

A separate session on Thursday brought in city leaders from different communities such as Great Falls, Butte, Missoula and Bozeman to talk about challenges facing their cities and what they were doing to respond.  

“Gallatin County is often flirting with the most expensive county in Montana, and Bozeman is the second most expensive community in that county,” said Joey Morrison, mayor of Bozeman, “We’re now leaders in the region and in this country for tenant protections and trying to ensure folks can stay in their homes that they’re currently living in.” 

The festival also highlighted how museums help tell Montana’s history. That included discussions from representatives with the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, tied to the Museum of the Rockies. 

“In a decade, we see about 40 million Americans which is 12 percent of the nation’s population in the building enjoying what they see. So, for me, museums are a really important part of this narrative, and in Bozeman here, Museum of the Rockies, amazing museum, punches way above its weight,” said Kirk Johnson, Sant Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.  

The festival is set to wrap up on Friday, June 12th with more speakers throughout the afternoon at the Emerson Theater. Private events for registered participants are scheduled after the panel discussions on both days.