When you’re ready to get a little culture on, the Hockaday Museum of Art in Kalispell, Montana is a splendid way to explore that side of your imagination.
The museum is open year-round and contains collections and exhibitions by Montana artists and artifacts from writers and others, all centered on Montana’s majestic art history.
What’s the history behind the Hockaday Museum of Art?
In the 1960s, the Flathead Branch of the Montana Institute of the Arts realized there was a need for a community art center in the Valley and so created the Hockaday Center for the Arts in the building.
By 1969, the Flathead Valley Art Association opened the center, naming it for Lakeside artist and founding member, Hugh Hockaday.
In 1998, the center changes its name to the Hockaday Museum of Art to reflect its focus shift to that of a collecting museum instead of a community arts center.
The museum is housed in a turn-of-the-20th-Century Carnegie Library Building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The beautiful building has been upgraded to be wheelchair accessible and has undergone many renovations to retain the building’s historic integrity and beauty while making it convenient and suitable for today’s visitors.
The Hockaday Museum of Art in Kalispell holds the mission of enriching the cultural life of the community and region while preserving the legacy of Montana’s artists and the region.
Hockaday Museum of Art Details
Before you pop over to the Hockaday Museum of Art, you may want to check out their website or give them a call with questions. Find the best contact info below, along with hours, fees, and more.
- 302 2nd Avenue East, Kalispell, MT
- (406) 755-5268
- information@hockadaymuseum.com
- https://hockadaymuseum.com/
- Winter Hours: Tuesday 11 am to 5 pm, Wednesday through Saturday 11 am to 4 pm
- Summer Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 11 am to 5 pm
- Season: Year-Round
- Closed Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Friday, Christmas Eve and Day, New Year’s Eve and Day
- Fees: Adults $5, Seniors $4, College students $2, Children (18 and under) free, Members are free
- Free parking in the lot south of the building for museum visitors
What are the main exhibits and collections at the Hockaday Museum of Art?
The Hockaday Museum of Art has a growing collection of works from artists of Montana and art about Montana and the Glacier National Park. Some of the artists featured here include:
- Ace Powell
- C. Seltzer
- Russell Chatham
- Jeanne Hamilton
- Mark Ogle
- Julie Jeppsen
- Krystii Melaine
- Carol Cooke
- Linda Tippetts
- Jeff Walker
- Thomas English
- Bob Scriver
- John Fery
- Hugh Hockaday
- Laurie Kersey
- Linda Wilder
- Charles Fritz
- And many others
The museum also features collections of nostalgia goods, such as Glacier Park collectibles like vintage maps and hand-tinted photographs, and works featuring the Empire Builder Railroad, Blackfeet Nation, and early settlers of Montana.
What kinds of events and exhibitions are held at the Hockaday Museum of Art?
Each year, the Hockaday Museum of Art holds a variety of exhibitions and events both at the museum and in the wider community.
In 2022, exhibitions include a range of new artists to tapestry exhibitions, as well as mural restorations, and local artist exhibitions.
- Running from April 8 to June 11, 2022, Joan Renne: Tapestries of the Body and Wall
- Running from April 8 to June 11, 2022, Larry Blackwood: Synthesizing Icons
- Running from May 3 to May 28, 2022, New Artists 2022, High School Student Exhibition
- Running from June 17 to August 20, 2022, Between Artists: Life in Paintings and Prose – Tabby Ivy and Damon Falke
A community event to consider this summer is the Arts in the Park event, held from July 15 to 17, 2022, from 10 am to 6 pm Friday and Saturday, Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.
The festival is the longest-running, premiere arts, crafts, and music festival in the Flathead Valley and is held in Kalispell’s historic downtown Depot Park.
Enjoy over 80 juried artists and artisans from around the country, listen to live music and entertainers, and enjoy the amazing food from local vendors.
A 3-day unlimited pass is $5, children 12 and under are free, or 2 adults with up to 3 kids for $15.
Does the Hockaday Museum of the Arts offer tours?
The Hockaday staff offers a wide range of tours and events you may want to partake of while visiting the museum. You’ll need to register in advance for any of the following tours.
School and Youth Group tours
Scheduled with and run by educational director and team. Simply fill out a form available on the site to begin your scheduling process.
Children’s Tours
There are several tours designed specifically for children of varying age groups.
- Meet the Museum – Pre-school through 1st grade
- Art and Artists of Montana – Grades 2 through 8
- Color, Line, and Shape – Grades 1 through 3
- Temporary Exhibition tours – Grades K through 12
- Exploring the Elements of Art – Grades 4 through 8
- Self-guided tour – Grades K through 12 (must be led by chaperones or teachers)
Adult Group Tours
There are also group tours available for adults visiting the museum. Check the FAQs to answer your questions on times, costs, and more.
Senior Tour and Tea Day
Available every second Friday of the month, the Senior Tour and Tea Day is available for visitors 60 and older.
Complimentary tea, coffee, and cookies are available during regular museum hours – and seniors receive free admission from 11 am to 4 pm. Enquire at the desk for volunteer-led docent tours at 11:30 am.
Conclusion
The Hockaday Museum of Art is the premier locale for discovering and enjoying art that centers on Montana artists and the state’s incredible beauty and history.
Spend a partial day, take a tour, or spend the whole day enjoying the incredible artwork found within the museum’s walls.
Be sure to call ahead for any guided tours or group visits, and check the calendar for special exhibitions and events coming up, in case you’re in town for one of the unique events the museum hosts.