By Carli Johnson SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Local leaders gathered Tuesday evening at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center to share updates, celebrate progress and align on the future of Big Sky during the annual State of the Community event, hosted by the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce and Big Sky Resort Area District as a part of Community Week.
Emceed by John Zirkle and Tallie Lancey, the event brought together representatives from local nonprofits, government agencies and private organizations for an evening of collaboration and reflection. This year’s theme, Lancey announced, was “common knowledge,” a concept from psychologist Steven Pinker referring to the shared understanding that helps communities coordinate and cooperate.
“When we all entered the room, we had some private knowledge,” Lancey told the crowd. “What we’re going to do tonight is learn things together in public to build a common narrative that helps us act more efficiently.”
The program featured four panels focused on social services, funding and philanthropy, health and safety and economic development. Each segment concluded with Q&A sessions based on audience submissions.
The social services panel included Sarah Gaither of the Big Sky Community Food Bank, Mariel Butan of Morningstar Learning Center and Allison Bradac of Wellness in Action. Panelists shared how their organizations collaborate to support families and individuals year-round.
When asked what “small town” means in the context of their work, Bradac said she is grateful that Wellness in Action can be part of many different conversations and serve as a resource that positively impacts the community.
“There is so much overlap and teamwork to get a problem solved and work things out because we are in a small town,” she said.
Representing funding and philanthropy, Jenny Christensen of BSRAD, Anna Shipley of the Moonlight Community Foundation, Hannah Waterbury of the Spanish Peaks Community Foundation and Ciara Wolfe of the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation discussed how local foundations have shifted from reactive to proactive giving.
When asked how funders balance helping many organizations with ensuring their dollars make the greatest impact, Wolfe said, “we listen first to what the community identifies as its biggest needs and then prioritize our funds based on that.”
Christensen added, “We work with the foundations to make sure we can all make the biggest impact. Partnership with the community and these organizations is how we make sure they’re a good fit for funding.”
The event paused briefly for a wellness reset led by Be Well Big Sky. Representatives guided the audience through two breathing exercises encouraging mindfulness and reflection before the final panels.
The health and safety panel featured Jess Olson of Alpenscapes, Kelly Halmes of the Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center and Sergeant Dan Haydon of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office. Haydon illustrated the department’s wide range of responsibilities with props that drew laughs and appreciation from the audience.
The evening concluded with the economic development panel, represented by Brad Niva of the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce, Troy Nedved of Big Sky Resort and Matt Kidd of Lone Mountain Land Company.
Each speaker outlined not only current projects but also long-term goals, such as new attractions at Big Sky Resort, to expanding childcare options, and improving emergency services.
By the end of the night, attendees left with what Lancey had promised at the outset: a stronger sense of “common knowledge” about the challenges and opportunities shaping Big Sky’s future.
