Montana 12,250

America's first 250 years—and then some

On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for coming generations.

At the Montana Arts Council, that celebration begins with art. How are artists, writers, dancers, thinkers, and creators responding to this moment in our nation’s life? What do the principles of sovereignty, liberty, self-determination and freedom of expression mean to you?

We'll be collecting reflections of all kinds throughout the year, and publishing them in our e-news and online.

We're also creating an anthology of reflections on this milestone, called Montana 12,250.

What is Montana 12,250?

This place we call Montana has been inhabited continuously by humans for millennia, and longer than most places in the Americas. People began coming here soon after the most recent ice age's glaciers retreated from the landscape. And while exact dates continue to be debated, human habitation in Montana is undeniably ancient.

The Montana 12,250 Anthology considers how people who have lived here throughout human history have thought about life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and other big questions. It focuses on humans’ first language—art.

In 1961, painted bones and projectile points were discovered along a rock outcrop located just south of Wilsall. Called the Anzick site, it would prove to be the only Clovis burial site in the Americas, and has been dated to around 12,000 years old. More than just human remains and stone tools, the red ochre paint they contain represents evidence of human expression—art. How different people have expressed themselves over time is of central interest to us in this moment.

Join us in this celebration! Tell us what you’re doing during the America 250 year. Send us photos, reflections, and events to mac@mt.gov.