Arts Council discusses fundraising, upcoming events, plans for 2020

The Lincoln Council for the Arts President Annette Gardner welcomed old and new faces alike to their meeting Monday, Sept 16, from Lisa Smith and Sylvia Johnson who started the Arts Council in 1988, to Gardner and Liz Cain who came on board a couple of years later, to brand new faces like Toni Austad and Lee York who hadn't attended meetings before.

The council heard recaps on the Lincoln Arts & Music Festival and the Farmer's Market season as well as plans for moving forward with each for next summer.

The Arts Council runs a coupon book fundraiser each year and there are still a few available this year. Contact a member of the Arts Council if you are interested in getting one for yourself, or as a gift. They are $10 and have more than $200 in local coupons available to use through June of 2020. Funds from the coupon book sales go back into events for the community.

On Thursday, Nov. 14, the Arts Council is bringing a free concert to Lincoln by the Montana Shamrockers. This popular Montana Irish quintet features traditional, original and American Celtic tunes, along with a few laughs. They will perform at the school for students at 3 p.m. and then again at 7 p.m. for the community in the Lincoln Community Hall. The Shamrockers bring the Irish, Lincoln brings the crowd for the free family-friendly event. You can read more about them on their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/TheMontanaShamRockers/. While the concert is free, the Council of the Arts will have a donation jar at the event to offset the cost of renting the Community Hall.

The council also voted to do an additional reprint of their coloring books so they will be available to give as gifts through the holidays. Coloring books feature Lincoln artists, and sales benefit the Council for the Arts. You can purchase them at Hi Country Trading Post, Rusty Relics, Grizzly Hardware, Citizen's Bank, Teresa G's Flowers, or by contacting Tammy Jordan at 406-633-0073 or via email at: [email protected].

Last on the agenda, council members discussed continuing to look for ways to collaborate with other community organizations to help bring programming and worthwhile events to Lincoln. A lot of new ideas were presented for programming for 2020 and beyond, including possible writer's groups and retreats, film festivals, a community organization night or a writing program with a talented visiting artist for the school that could also provide adult programming in the evenings.

If you would like to get involved in the Lincoln Council for the Arts, or have suggestions, please plan to attend their next meeting on Monday, Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the back room at Lambkins Restaurant, or contact Annette Gardner at 406-362-4547.