Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture

As the focal point for artistic and cultural activity in south-central Montana, the Emerson Center fosters creative exchanges between individual artists, organizations, and the community at large. The Emerson Center is a community hub for the promotion of the arts; the place people think of when they imagine the arts in central Montana.
On any given day, the Emerson Center is filled with community members coming together to celebrate the arts–painters capturing emotion on canvas, the sound of string instruments resonating through the historic halls, or children reciting Shakespeare in the grand ballroom. The Emerson Center plays a vital role in our community by providing an inspiring gathering place where practicing artists and creative residents can collaborate, perform, and share their talents freely.
Once a home for school children, this historic building (Ca. 1918 on the National Historic Register) was converted in 1993 into an arts and cultural organization in the heart of downtown Bozeman, Montana. Today, the Emerson Center hosts a variety of professional and contemporary art exhibits, a well-known arts education program and houses over 80 artists in converted schoolrooms for retail and studio space, a restaurant, and a theater and ballroom for performance programs.
The Emerson is located at 111 South Grand Avenue between Babcock and Olive in Downtown Bozeman. Park on the street or in the west parking lot located on Olive. Note: Babcock is a one-way street.
The Emerson hosts many free community events each year, such as: Lunch on the Lawn – Music and food outside on the lawn every Wednesday in July and August. Annual Garden Tour – Self-guided tour of some of Gallatin Valley’s most beautiful and unique gardens, large and small. (Nominal fee event) All Hallow’s Eve Family Open House – Trick or treating for children of all ages in a warm, creative and safe environment. Christmas Stroll – Headquarters for Bozeman’s premier winter festival – gingerbread house construction, wreath-making classes, holiday caroling, Santa Claus and general merriment.
Monday – Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm.