The SLAM Story...
SLAM (Support Local Artists and Musicians) was founded in 2010 by Salal Huber-McGee and Callie Miller with a mission “to promote the arts and art education in a manner that enriches and involves the community”. The focus of SLAM is to highlight the talent of Montana residents and cultivate an environment that values the arts. Admission to SLAM Festivals is free to the public, enabling all members of the community of any income level to enjoy the plethora of artistic talent in Montana.
In addition to events that showcase Montana artists, musicians, and creatives, SLAM spearheads community art installations, and funds grants and scholarships awarded to community members pursuing education in the Arts. Since its founding, SLAM has granted over $15,000 in scholarships, installed upwards of $50,000 worth of functional community art, and is working on another $50,000 worth of functional and artistic bike racks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, SLAM provided over $18,000 in grants to Montana artists to pay bills and survive the declining economy. SLAM also sponsors other organizations in the area, including the Verge Theater and the MSU Art Guilds, either through monetary means or in-kind contributions. SLAM often partners with local organizations such as Sweet Pea, the Emerson Center for Culture and the Arts, Eagle Mount, and is a member of Montana Art Gallery Director Association (MAGDA), providing arts programming year round in the county and throughout the state.
Probably the most important tenet of SLAM is the belief that artists are working professionals that deserve respect and wages that are reflective of their hard work and all their training. At all of their events, SLAM aims to treat their artists, musicians, and creatives with hospitality and respect; pay creatives respectable wages for their services, or charge artists and vendors manageable fees (when applicable). While half of SLAM’s work is bringing art to the community, the organization is just as focused on providing opportunities to local artists.
SLAM is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All revenue generated in excess of what is needed to operate our festival and organization is reinvested in the community in the form of grants and sponsorships for artists and art organizations, scholarships for Arts education, and special projects that promote the Arts in communities throughout the state of Montana.
In addition to events that showcase Montana artists, musicians, and creatives, SLAM spearheads community art installations, and funds grants and scholarships awarded to community members pursuing education in the Arts. Since its founding, SLAM has granted over $15,000 in scholarships, installed upwards of $50,000 worth of functional community art, and is working on another $50,000 worth of functional and artistic bike racks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, SLAM provided over $18,000 in grants to Montana artists to pay bills and survive the declining economy. SLAM also sponsors other organizations in the area, including the Verge Theater and the MSU Art Guilds, either through monetary means or in-kind contributions. SLAM often partners with local organizations such as Sweet Pea, the Emerson Center for Culture and the Arts, Eagle Mount, and is a member of Montana Art Gallery Director Association (MAGDA), providing arts programming year round in the county and throughout the state.
Probably the most important tenet of SLAM is the belief that artists are working professionals that deserve respect and wages that are reflective of their hard work and all their training. At all of their events, SLAM aims to treat their artists, musicians, and creatives with hospitality and respect; pay creatives respectable wages for their services, or charge artists and vendors manageable fees (when applicable). While half of SLAM’s work is bringing art to the community, the organization is just as focused on providing opportunities to local artists.
SLAM is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All revenue generated in excess of what is needed to operate our festival and organization is reinvested in the community in the form of grants and sponsorships for artists and art organizations, scholarships for Arts education, and special projects that promote the Arts in communities throughout the state of Montana.
