Butte, Montana

Butte, Montana, was once the biggest city west of the Mississippi due to a mining boom of copper and silver. Butte holds a fascinating history of mining, immigration, and environmental restoration.

The Butte Residency is made up of a partnership between the Phoenix Arts Alliance and the Historic Clark Chateau.

The mission of the Phoenix Arts Alliance is to support the creative pursuits of those within the historic Phoenix Block in Uptown Butte, as well as the greater Butte arts community, through our work in the Imagine Butte Resource Center, Foreground Gallery, Square Peg Framing, and our community printmaking studio.

The Mission of the Clark Chateau is to preserve the historic building under the ownership of Butte-Silver Bow and encourage its active use by providing a space and support for the community and visitors to gather and engage in cultural, artistic, and humanities programming.

Built by “Copper King”, William A. Clark in 1898, this historic residence has seen the comings and goings of wealthy industrialists, The Butte School of Music and The Shriners Fez Club to name but a few occupants. The Chateau is now owned by the city of Butte, and is used as a community gathering site, as a gallery, museum and cultural center.

Pheonix Art Alliance Website

Historic Clark Chateau Website

Depending on the artistic needs of the Artist-in-Resident, their studio space could be at the Pheonix Art Alliance and/or the Clark Chateau.

The Phoenix has several options for studio space, including access to the community printmaking studio and the Hungry Hill Art Center ceramic studio in the basement.

Studio access is available at the Phoenix during the building’s open hours Monday-Saturday.

The community print studio is home:

-7 different presses, with letterpress, relief, drypoint etching, monotype, collograph, and cyanotype printmaking capabilities.

-Tuesday evening Open Studio event.

-Possible exhibition opportunity at Foreground Gallery or other walls in the public parts of the building.

-Oro Fino Coffee, arguably the best coffee shop in Butte, is a frequent place of meeting for the creative minds of Butte.

-The IBRC also has a large, varied book collection that is accessible to the public.

-Artists who use the ceramic studio will be responsible for their clay and firing fees.

-A small kitchenette area, and free wi-fi.

Writers and musicians might prefer a space at the Historic Clark Chateau.

Artists-in-Residence at the Chateau will have access to:

-Studio space in the Clark Chateau, centered in Butte's Historic Landmark District

-Access to the Clark Chateau performance spaces, music room, and ballroom, and grand piano.

-Access to the Clark Chateau classroom space

Additional Resources in Butte include:

-Butte Silver-Bow Public Archives for research

-Berkley Pit

-Butte Chinese Museum

Artists coming from out of town will be provided accommodations in Butte. Each year, our housing changes based on the needs of incoming residents and changing housing options in Butte. Generally, residents are housed together in a centrally located furnished home or apartment with a private bedroom. Occasionally, residents are housed with a vetted host family. Applicants will have the opportunity to share their housing needs in the Artist-in-Residence application.

Please note that many of the buildings in Butte are historic, and many do not meet ADA accessibility standards. Butte has steep hills, and parking is not always available near the buildings.

In addition to an artist presentation, any resident working out of the Phoenix could teach a public workshop or give an artist talk in the Imagine Butte Resource Center's Foreground Gallery or printmaking studio.

The historic Phoenix Block was originally built in 1906 as Symons Department Store, and it is right in the heart of Uptown Butte's business district. Since 2012, it has been the home of the Imagine Butte Resource Center and Foreground Gallery. Throughout the years, the Phoenix Arts Alliance has expanded our offerings to Butte's arts community through our community printmaking studio, and Square Peg Framing shop. The Phoenix is also home to Oro Fino Coffee, the cooperative art gallery, Mainstope Gallery, a non-profit ceramics studio, Hungry Hill Art Center, a small weaving studio, two yoga studios, and more. The Phoenix is within walking distance to many of Butte's favorite food spots, shops, and nightlife.

The Clark Chateau is centrally located in Butte's historic uptown with access to a free public transport bus system. The Public Library is one block away. The Historic Landmark District in uptown Butte is home to multiple restaurants, coffee shops, and small retailers, all within walking distance of the Clark Chateau.

While artists could be comfortable without a vehicle during this residency, artists may want to have access to one to explore the surrounding area.