Our Mission:

• To promote creative opportunities for adults and youth through expanded education and exhibition programming.


• To stimulate economic growth and cultural development through arts and humanities programs via collaborations with local, regional, and national organizations.


• To foster and encourage an understanding and interest in local traditions, heritage, and arts.

A Little More About Us

The Butte Silver Bow Arts Foundation makes its collection of art from a variety of eras to the present accessible to the widest possible audience by presenting exhibitions.

The Butte Silver Bow Arts Foundation (BSBAF) was formed in 1976 by the Butte Silver Bow Bi-Centennial Commission to promote the arts for residents of Butte and Southwest Montana. Originally, there were 18 members of the Bi-Centennial Commission, who raised the funds to purchase the Charles Clark Chateau in 1976 and gave it to the county of Butte Silver Bow. A non-profit organization was formed in 1977 known as the Butte Silver Bow Arts Foundation under IRS Code 501 (c) 3 status to promote the arts using the Charles Clark Chateau under the name of The Arts Chateau as its base of operations. BSBAF made an agreement to maintain and restore The Arts Chateau with annual support from the Butte Silver Bow Government. Each year the BSBAF leased the Charles Walker Chateau, built in 1898, from the Butte Silver Bow County for area residents to use as a cultural center for the arts. Today, the chateau has some other purpose with the city, which is the agenda of Butte Silver Bow County Government.

BSBAF (Butte Silver Bow Arts Foundation) moved the organization to 113 N Hamilton, (the historic Smither's Photography building). At this location, we are able to advance our mission by providing quality arts and humanity activities through our new gallery and increase community involvement at the arts center.

During the past 41 years, the Butte Silver Bow Arts Foundation(BSBAF) Board of Directors, volunteers, and members have worked to provide art, culture, heritage, and historic opportunities to an international audience.