Downtown in the heart of Bigfork lies CFBB's historic Clocktower Building. The Bigfork Arts and Culture Center is grateful to call this home to continue our mission to reveal the rich cultures and creativity that thrive in our Montana communities. It is at this charming venue that we provide innovative and educational experiences in all areas of the arts for both children and adults, and share Bigfork area history and diverse heritages.
Hours
Special Events; please check our calendar, programs or exhibit pages.
Guiding Principles
The guiding principles of our mission include freedom of imagination, inquiry and expression, as well as freedom of opportunity for all to participate in a vital and diverse arts & culture.
Location
You can find us at 525 Electric Avenue in downtown Bigfork, right next to the Bigfork Imagine IF Library and across the street from the Bigfork Playhouse
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that we are on Indigenous land and waters. We honor the original stewards of this land and their descendants, many of whom continue to live, work, teach, create and learn in this community. We are committed to showing gratitude for the land and its Indigenous peoples by respecting and remembering this in our thoughts and actions.
501c3
As a 501c3 since 1997, we are funded by grants and tax-deductible donations. Together we can make a difference to our community and visitors in this beautiful Flathead Valley!
Our mission and programs are led by Julie Bottum. Julie has been with us since June of 2021. During that summer of 2021, Julie began the process of connecting with community, networking with our local organizations, and evolving the mission of BACC. With a background in education, animal facilitated learning, and nonprofit development, she brings a passion for creating inspiring programs and workshops that help both children and adults explore the amazing world around us. Julie's goal is to continue the legacy of BACC to create extraordinary experiences and inclusive communities for you to connect with art, cultures, & shared stories from across time and place.
Giovanna Carlson
Program Director
Bio Link
Giovanna comes to us from Vermont where her family's farm is located deep in the Green Mountain Range. She received a full scholarship to attend the University of Vermont at Burlington. While maintaining a full schedule of community art and dance therapy activities, Giovanna completed studies in dance, nutrition, and experiences in community leadership. At BACC Giovanna will continue to assist in developing educational history and cultural arts programs which will now include dance and music. Growing up in a community steeped in the value of heritage arts, Giovanna is excited to share and learn alongside Bigfork residents and visitors!
Email: giovannacarlson@baccbigfork.org
Mike Hannley
Board Chair
Mike joins as a part time resident of Bigfork and Arizona. Mike is retired from a career the financial world of banking and has extensive experience in the non-profit sector.
Rchard Janisse
Vice-chair
Rick specializes in business development.
He is President RMJ & Associates, LLC and resides in Bigfork MT
Email: rickjanisse@outlook.com
Nancy Kuhn
Board Secretary
Nancy is a long time resident and former business owner here in Bigfork. Nancy has been an integral part of BACC's success! Her passion for community, the arts, and education is an inspiration to us all!
Vicky Berry
Treasurer
Meet Vicky Berry,
the artful mind of Tweet Jewelry Designs, fondly chosen after her childhood nickname of Tweety by her father, and the creator of one-of-a-kind fashion pieces that make a statement.
A retired HR professional in the highly competitive legal field, Vicky made an early statement around the legal world with a groundbreaking University for continuing education for the over 500 lawyers in her firms international offices. Of course, there were many other accomplishments throughout a long and successful career.
Mike Sisson
Board Member
Mike is a retired metal fabricator/millwright from the east coast. Currently Mike resides near Bigfork and has been involved at BACC through his fantastic one-of-a-kind metal sculptures as well as a volunteer at BACC events.
Check out below to see some of the ways the BACC (and some of our amazing artists) have been featured by our community.
In The News
Our ongoing History Project Dives Deep!
Bruce on site
Bruce Miller's Photographic journey of worldwide Indigenous cultures and Lands in transition
Memory Lane Post
Great things happening at Memory Lane
BACC collaborations
This Summer we hosted artitst from the Salish Kootenai College as part of a collaboration made possible through a grant from Whitefish Community Foundation.
Bigfork schools adjust for farming.
The deep commitment that Bigfork residents have shown towards education and the children of Bigfork!
The Beginning of the Bigfork Volunteer Fire Department
Founded in 1893, The Swan River School has been a beloved landmark in the Bigfork community for over 125 years. In the spring semester of 2018, the students of Mrs. Emslie’s 5th grade glass undertook a project to tell part of their school’s rich history, in the form of short video documentaries that they researched, wrote, shot, and edited themselves.