By Finley Timon EDITORIAL INTERN
For nearly four years, the former Choppers bar in Big Sky Town Center sat as a quiet, empty building. Now, it’s anything but.
The Arts Council of Big Sky has opened its new home at 77 Lone Peak Drive, bringing life to the former Choppers building months after announcing plans for a major remodel into a public-access arts hub. Alongside a new summer camp for kids, music concerts and arts programming, progress on the building is fulfilling a decade-long goal.
“It just seemed like an amazing opportunity that we could not pass up,” said Brian Hurlbut, executive director of the arts council. “We’ve been planning for this for 10 years.”
For the first time in its history, the nonprofit has a permanent home—and room to grow.
“We knew kind of right away when we moved into BASE that the space was gonna be insufficient for what we really wanted to do,” Hurlbut said. “We thought we would have to build our own space because there’s typically not a lot of space available in Big Sky.”
The new location isn’t just for arts council programming. Since opening its doors, the building has already hosted more than a dozen partner organizations, including the Big Sky School District, Big Sky OUT and the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation. In April, Big Sky High School held its prom in the space. In June, Big Sky OUT hosted Pride Story Hour for families. The calendar also features two classical concerts, a plein air painting class for kids and an Indigenous culinary workshop with chef Mariah Gladstone.
“It’s just a really cool mix of different events that are put on by the arts council and put on by other members of the community,” Hurlbut said.
Julie Edwards, education director for the arts council, said the space is also being used for after-school and teen programming, with plans to continue expanding those offerings in the fall.
She emphasized that the council’s commitment to accessibility includes a “contribute what you can” pricing model for camps and classes. Families can opt to pay the full rate or choose a discounted amount—no paperwork required.
Summer camps underway
The arts council is holding its new kids’ summer art camps in the new building,made possible by a temporary classroom setup and future plans for a dedicated youth space inside the new building.
“For the first time ever, we’ve been able to offer 10 weeks of kids’ summer art camps because we have our own space,” Hurlbut said. “We’ve always wanted to do it, and we know there’s a demand for more summertime childcare and activities for kids.”
Edwards said the opportunity came sooner than expected.
“Being able to offer 10 weeks of summer art camp is beyond anything I thought we were ever going to attain in the next five to 10 years,” Edwards said.
She added that staffing has grown alongside programming, with a team that includes local middle and high school students, volunteers and returning educators. Feedback from families, she said, has highlighted how valuable it is simply to have more options for summer learning in Big Sky.
“We just wanted to activate the space. We just wanted to bring life into it,” Edwards said. “To activate this space that was an old locals’ bar and restaurant scene in a totally different way—from the art education and programming perspective—is beyond anything I ever thought I would be given the opportunity to do in this community.”
Welcoming the public
Starting June 25, the arts council will host open houses every Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m., aligned with the Big Sky Farmers Market. While a full educational campaign is still ahead, Hurlbut said the feedback has already exceeded expectations.
“The buzz and the excitement around the community has been really amazing to see,” he said. “People come in and their jaw kind of drops when they come in because it’s just a completely different space.”
With a small but committed staff, the arts council is working to meet the moment.
Edwards echoed that spirit, saying the team is ready to grow while staying connected to the community.
“It’s all about everyone feeling welcome and having a really quality, creative, safe space to come to,” she said.
Looking ahead
The organization plans to add five classrooms in the renovated space, including dedicated areas for youth programming, pottery, multimedia work and visiting artists. While construction timelines remain flexible, the goal is to continue expanding access and programming as the building evolves into a full-scale community arts hub.
“This isn’t just our space—it’s Big Sky’s,” Hurlbut said. “And we’re just getting started.”
