Call for Cultural and Aesthetics (C&A) Project Advisory Committee

The statewide C&A Committee is comprised of sixteen members. The Montana Arts Council and the Montana Historical Society are each responsible for appointing eight members.

To apply for an arts appointment, send an email expressing your interest and include a resume or bio to Kristin Burgoyne at the arts council: kburgoyne@mt.gov. If you have questions, phone her at (406) 444-6449. To apply for consideration as a history appointee, contact the director of the Montana Historical Society. Deadlines for these four-year appointments are usually in April of even-numbered years, with the council making final selections in June prior to the grant review cycle beginning that fall.

The arts council looks for a broad range of professional arts expertise on this panel across all arts disciplines.  Visual arts is typically the discipline with the most applications, so the committee makeup may be weighted a bit more heavily in that field.  The council also strives for a balance of rural and urban members, as well as representation from a broad section of geographic areas around the state.  The council also seeks, as does the historical society, racial and gender balance. There are some appointments from state agencies or state-wide nonprofits whose geographic designation is statewide rather than the location of their office. 

Obligations of the four-year terms include attending a 2-day panel meeting every other year and reviewing up to 100 grant applications online in preparation for that. Meetings are held over two days in mid-October in even-numbered years in Helena.

Current C&A Committee Members

Montana Arts Council Appointees

• Virgina Bryan, Billings | Term Expires: Jan 1, 2026
• Mary Callahan Baumstark | Term Expires: Jan 1, 2026
• Troy Evans, Roundup | Term Expires: Jan. 1, 2026
• Lee Ellen Hveem, Billings | Term Expires: Jan. 1, 2026
• Jennifer Jeffries Thompson, Helena | Term Expires: Jan. 1, 2026
• Bess Lovec, Billings | Term Expires: Jan. 1, 2026
• Susan Miller, Bozeman | Term Expires: Jan. 1, 2024
• Ben Thiem, Kalispell | Term Expires: Jan. 1, 2026

Montana Historical Society Appointees

• Shane Doyle, Bozeman | Term Expires: Jan. 1, 2024
• Bill Jones, Harlowton| Term Expires: Jan. 1, 2024
• Tate Jones, Missoula | Term Expires: Jan. 1, 2024
• Don Matlock, Hamilton | Term Expires: Jan. 1, 2024
• Peter Rudd, Helena | Term Expires: Jan. 1, 2026
• Jennie Stapp, Statewide | Libraries | Term Expires: Jan. 1, 2024
• Jill Baker/Megan Sundy, Statewide | Humanities Montana | Ongoing
• Vacant