The news came in a June email, and right away, Myrna Loy executive director Benji Cosgrove told the previous director, Krys Holmes. Next was the staff, who were as thrilled as he was. The Myrna Loy, an arts and culture hotspot of Helena operating out of a renovated jailhouse, was awarded $80,000 by the National Endowment of the Arts, it was announced Tuesday.
The gift supports the Myrna Loy’s regular collaboration with Indigenous groups. Over the past five years, the arthouse has grown its connections with the Helena Indian Alliance, Leo Pocha Clinic and the Indian Education Office. “There are so many stories people haven’t heard,” Cosgrove said.
Several projects invite Indigenous artists to Helena and offer cultural training to staff and community groups. Common themes are healing, celebration and authentic connection. The yearly capstone event of these team-ups is an Indigenous-centered film festival, usually showing the day before the Last Chance Community Pow Wow, or on Montana Native American Heritage Day.
This year, there are six films showing Thursday, totaling an hour and 10 minutes. The $80,000 will be distributed over two years, Cosgrove said. The timing is a little awkward with the Myrna Loy’s schedule, but over this coming season, he anticipates the money will go to bringing more talent from further away.
Whether it be beading, leatherwork, cooking or fashion, the first chunk of cash could pay for travel stipends and hotel stays for out-of-towners featur.