Philipsburg, Montana

The Philipsburg Arts Fund, host of Open AIR’s artist-in-residence, is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to the arts & literature and honoring Philipsburg's rich history.

Established in 1997, the Arts Fund supports individual community projects and initiates events that showcase Philipsburg's unique historical district, many local artists, and talented musicians.

Philipsburg Arts Fund Website

While in residence, artists will have access to the following:

• A workspace provided by Philipsburg Arts Fund.

• Access to the nearby wilderness with great hiking, biking, water sports, blue-ribbon fly fishing, and more. 

• Possible access to the Philipsburg Theater for musicians and/or performance-based artists.

Philipsburg, Montana, is a charming 19th-century mining town located in the scenic Flint Creek Valley between the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness and the Flint Creek Range. Once voted among the Prettiest Painted Places in America, the town's restored, beautiful buildings are just the beginning of what it has to offer.

The town of Philipsburg was named after the famous mining engineer Philip Deidesheimer, who designed and supervised the ore smelter around which the town initially formed. The surrounding hills still show the scars of mountains that have produced vast deposits of silver, manganese, sapphires, and to a lesser extent, gold. Granite, Tower, Rumsey, Black Pine, and other local mines were considered home to thousands of men in the late 19th and early 20th century.

The town is small and hilly, and all amenities are accessible by foot. A vehicle is recommended for exploring the surrounding areas.

The apartment the artist will be staying in, is 3 blocks from Philipsburg’s town center, and an easy walk or bike ride (with a few gentle hills) to local coffee shops, restaurants, the library, the post office, and the Philipsburg Center for the Arts/ studio space. The local grocery store is 1.2 km down the hill, and you are just minutes from the local brewery, the main community hub where locals gather daily.

The artist will stay in a spacious, newly renovated, self-contained one-bedroom/one-bathroom basement apartment with a private entrance, parking, and reliable Wi-Fi. The living area includes a gas stove, futon, extra bed, a desk, and a basic kitchenette with a mini-fridge, microwave, and kettle. Your host lives upstairs and is exceptionally quiet, offering a peaceful, private stay. While there is no in-unit laundry, host access can be arranged upon request, or a nearby laundromat is available.

Community engagement is an important component of the residency in Philipsburg. Artists are requested to provide a few workshops for local children and/or adults. Materials and additional compensation will be provided.

• 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