MMAC - Montana Museum of Art & Culture

The Montana Museum of Art and Culture (MMAC) stands as one of the oldest cultural institutions in the Rocky Mountain Northwest, tracing its beginnings back to 1895, only two years after the University of Montana was founded. What started with a modest request to the Smithsonian for natural history specimens has since evolved into a remarkable collection of nearly 12,000 works of art and cultural artifacts. Over more than a century, the museum has grown into a vital resource for education, preservation, and cultural exchange, shaping the artistic landscape of the state and beyond.

Located on the University of Montana campus in Missoula, the MMAC has long served as both a teaching and public museum. Its collection reflects a wide range of artistic traditions, from European masters like Delacroix, Corot, and Picasso to American icons such as Remington, Warhol, and Rockwell Kent. The museum also takes pride in its strong representation of artists from the Rocky Mountain West, as well as an ever-growing body of contemporary Native American art. In addition, its holdings span centuries and continents, encompassing everything from ancient ceramics to modern sculpture, textiles, and works on paper.

In September 2023, the museum reached a pivotal milestone with the opening of its first permanent home, a state-of-the-art facility designed to house, exhibit, and protect its extensive collection. This long-awaited building represents decades of vision, planning, and community support, ensuring that the MMAC can continue to expand its role as a center for education and cultural enrichment.

As one of Montana’s three state museums, the MMAC remains committed to serving both the university and the wider community. Free and open to the public, it provides a space for learning, reflection, and dialogue, safeguarding the state’s artistic legacy while fostering new perspectives for future generations.