Garden City Harvest

Garden City Harvest plants seeds and grows together to create a healthy Missoula, Montana. Their over 20 community gardens, school gardens, and neighborhood farms provide the space to eat, grow, learn, and cultivate community. Garden City Harvest started with a community garden and a neighborhood farm, growing food for a few families and the Missoula Food Bank, and a vision of making healthy, local food accessible to all in Missoula.

Today, they still grow food for the Missoula Food Bank and 12 other partners. Missoulians grow food for their families in over 400 community garden plots, hire at-risk youth at our Youth Farm, and teach and grow food at 8 Missoula elementary schools.

• The Artist-In-Residence will be located at River Road Neighborhood Farm and Community Garden.

• Garden City Harvest Website

While in residence at Garden City Harvest, artists will have access to the following:

• A second-floor studio space in the community barn overlooking the gardens at River Road Farm

• Garden City Harvest farmers, staff, and volunteers who have a wealth of knowledge about growing food, neighborhood farms, and community gardens

• The opportunity to participate in Garden City’s programming

• Volunteer time on the farm in exchange for veggies!

• Close proximity restroom

• Wi-Fi

• Additionally, artists will have modest access to studio facilities at the University of Montana in ceramics, printmaking, and painting

Located 2 miles from downtown Missoula, Garden City Harvest - River Road Farm is a green oasis just off Russell Street. The River Road Farm bustles in the spring, summer and fall with farmers, volunteers, community gardeners, CSA members, and a flock of chickens.

The garden is accessible by bike, car, and public transportation. Onsite parking is available.

Missoula is located in a mountain valley at the confluence of three rivers. The town features contemporary museums, independent galleries, a variety of restaurants and grocery stores, and an active downtown anchored by the University of Montana. With riverfront parks, mountain trails, extensive bike paths, and a zero-fare public bus system, visiting artists can easily navigate the city and explore the surrounding region.

Artists coming from out of town will stay at Open AIR’s Blue House—a beautiful, fully furnished residence located in Missoula's vibrant University District, just one mile from downtown. Each artist will have their own bedroom and will share two bathrooms, the kitchen, dining room, living room, backyard, and laundry facilities. Applicants will have the opportunity to share their housing needs in the Artist-in-Residence application.

For more information: About the Blue House

In addition to an artist presentation, artists are invited to join in the farm field work anytime during business hours!

Artists can engage with other volunteers and farmers over a patch of weeds, plant baby onions, and harvest food for the Poverello Center, a local shelter for those experiencing houselessness in the Missoula community.

Garden City Harvest also offers on-site gardening workshops for which the artist is welcome to sign up.

• READ ADDITIONAL FAQ’s document

• Open AIR is committed to accessibility. If the application process or fee poses a barrier,  please reach out to Rachel at program@openairmt.org