Several notable arts organizations in Montana are currently at risk of losing government grants due to a misunderstanding over the necessity of providing testimony at legislative meetings. The predicament arose because applicants were initially informed by the Montana Arts Council that attending these sessions was optional, contradicting the views held by the budget subcommittee chairman, Rep. John Fitzpatrick from Anaconda. Fitzpatrick has expressed his belief that the absence of testimony should be grounds for cutting off funds to these groups.
During a recent House Appropriations Committee hearing, Fitzpatrick criticized the existing grants process, suggesting it had become more of a routine entitlement where the same groups receive funds without adequately justifying their claims. According to Fitzpatrick, “They’re saying everybody gets the money whether you’ve made the effort to come here and talk to the Legislature or not.”
Organizations such as Helena’s Grandstreet Theatre, the Emerson Center for Arts & Culture in Bozeman, the Alberta Bair Theater in Billings, and the Lewistown Arts Center are among those potentially affected. Other groups like the Helena Symphony and the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls may also see reductions.
At the meeting, nearly 40 representatives of arts and cultural organizations testified, many of whom expressed that they believed attendance was not a mandatory requirement. Grandstreet Theatre board member John Rausch highlighted this misunderstanding, stating, “It feels like the rug is being pulled out from under many of these very worthy arts organizations.”
Kristin Burgoyne, deputy director of the Montana Arts Council, apologized to grant applicants, admitting she had misunderstood Fitzpatrick’s expectations, leading her to think that written testimony would suffice. The issue arose as the committee examined House Bill 9, which outlines funding recommendations included in Gov. Greg Gianforte’s 2026-2027 budget proposal. The recommendations propose $954,000 in cultural and aesthetic grants for 75 organizations, largely funded through Montana’s coal trust revenue.
In a February meeting, the subcommittee unanimously moved to cut off funds for 17 organizations that failed to testify and reduce funding for 10 others that only submitted written comments. These amendments left the remaining funds to be redistributed among other grantees. However, this decision could be overturned by the larger House Appropriations Committee or in subsequent legislative proceedings.
Fitzpatrick argued that presenting before the committee should not be difficult, as Zoom facilitates remote participation. “It’s not a very heavy lift,” he remarked, noting the modest nature of the grant amounts. Many Democrats agree, emphasizing the value of enabling committee interactions, which can bolster the case for funding cultural projects before tax-dollar-conscious lawmakers.
Despite the controversy about participation, materials from the Arts Council had categorized testifying as optional, albeit with strong encouragement to do so. Helena Symphony Director Allan R. Scott shared his frustrations over the issue, pointing out that although the state contribution is a small fraction of their total budget, the support is crucial for validating fundraising efforts. The symphony, due to only submitting written testimony, is facing a drop from a proposed $12,500 to $2,000 in its grant.
Scott recounted times when policymakers were distracted during his presentations and stated that a dedicated staff member was ready to testify via Zoom but submitted written testimony instead due to procedural miscommunications. He hopes for a reconsideration of the decision, expressing disappointment over changing procedures. “This is saying — hey, we want you to kiss the ring of the chair in order to get your money,” he concluded.
