This half-day seminar featured nationally-recognized sustainability implementation expert Darcy Hitchcock introducing Montana businesses to the profit potential in being or becoming a sustainable business in Montana.

Check out the BROCHURE!  Read the SUMMARY PAPER!

This seminar was held in Billings on Thursday, September 28, 2006.

The seminar ran from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event began with a catered sustainable lunch, during which a panel of individuals from our area shared their experiences with integrating sustainable practices into their businesses and operations. The panel included Peter Crist of Bridge Creek Backcountry Kitchen and Wine Bar (Red Lodge), Peter Belschwender of On Site Management (Bozeman), Steve Collins of Xanterra Parks & Resorts and Yellowstone National Park Environmental Manager Jim Evanoff (both of Yellowstone Park).

A registration fee of $25 was charged to attendees to cover food and materials expenses.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Check out the BROCHURE!  Read the SUMMARY PAPER!

MUSIC

Montana Muse: (Weekly radio show highlighting music by Montanans.)

Currently only available on line. Check back to get updates on where you can catch it over the airwaves!

Montana Muse is a weekly radio show that features music created by Montanans. The emphasis is on Montanan-made music that rarely receives airplay on commercial radio stations: bluegrass, classical, folk, instrumental, blues, jazz and traditional country and western, plus music from Montana's ethnic traditions. Each program is organized around a musical genre or theme, and the musical selections are interspersed with host Scott Prinzing's informational commentary. The program enables Montanans to participate in an exploration of our living culture - as it unfolds - through the music created on our unparalleled landscape. This researched, professional radio show fills a need for programming that focuses on the lively, vibrant and continually creative music and musicians of Montana. Montana Muse is unique in that it is the only regular program broadcasting in Montana that is devoted to the talent in our state. Our region offers a truly amazing spectrum of musical talent; the show never faces a lack of musicians or fresh music.

This program aired weekly to rave reviews (including from our Lt. Gov., John Bohlinger and respected media king Ted Turner!) on Yellowstone Public Radio beginning February 6, 2005 and ending April 26, 2008. We were proud to have two wonderful underwriters for the program: The Good Earth Market (406-259-2622) and Hansen Music, both of Billings. We also want to thank the Montana Attorney General's office for their support for Montana Muse!! The Montana AG designated Montana Muse as the recipient of funds from proceeds of anti-trust enforcement actions brought by Montana Attorney General Mike McGrath on behalf of Montana music listeners! THANKS SO MUCH!!! And our enduring thanks as well to the Montana Business Incubator! MBI is a fantastic organization of wonderful people dedicated to supporting entrepenuership in our state.

Program information can be found on line on our NEWS page under "Montana Muse." You can listen to MP3's of the programs on our LISTEN page or on the pages of NewWest.Net.

Montana Muse is part of our Montana Music Project . This project is a broad effort to enhance our culture and our arts economy by making it easy for musicians and audiences to connect. The project features the Montana Muse radio program, a website (being developed) and a live broadcast series (check back for more information.)

Ear to the World: (Ethnomusicology sound portrait music program!)

Ear to the World is a music program that combines the intensity of the personal story with the excitement of travel and adventure, adds the revelations of cross-cultural discovery and interaction and is infused with, anchored in and informed by the most unique, original and compelling music in the world.

While this project is currently on hiatus (two volunteer staff people can only do so much) we still hope that one day we will be able to find sufficient funding to make this project come to life. Stay tuned for more information about this unique and exciting project.

Rock the Talk: (PSA's for commercial and public radio about rock stars' activism and altruism.)

Also on hiatus... let us know if you have tips for national underwriters and funders for this project.

VISUAL ARTS

Past writing projects include a review by Kris of an exhibit of work by Billings artist Gordon McConnell,(VIEW STORY) an article in Whitefish-based Montana Living about current exhibits at Yellowstone Art Museum about the exhibit “Lewis and Clark Territory: Contemporary Artists Revisit Place, Race and Memory.” In September 2004, The Billings Outpost published an article by Kris on another YAM exhibit of works by Peter Koch (VIEW STORY). The exhibit touches on both Native American and environment issues. It is an extremely compelling art show. To read other articles, search for Kristen Rickels Prinzing on the Billings Outpost website  (.)

Features on art and the environment are planned for many of our future projects.

NATIVE AMERICAN ISSUES

Our work in this area has frequently intersected with our work in other areas!

In June of 2006, Scott was deeply honored to be asked to present at the Indian Education For All Institute put on by Little Big Horn College, coordinated by Everall Fox, Academic Dean of the College.  Scott presented "Indian Music: More than Drums and Flutes," a presentation about the variety of musical genres explored by Native American musicians, past and present. Scott has given this class/presentation a number of times since then, and in the summer of 2007 completed a supplemental curriculum handbook and compilation CD on the topic. The booklet can be downloaded from the Montana OPI website.

Call MusEco if you are interested in engaging Scott to deliver this presentation at your school or event!

Radio: November 2006, 2005 and 2004 editions of WNWN dedicated to Native Americans and the Environment.

Art: Montana Living and Billings Outpost articles discuss art that addresses Native American issues.

Music: Many Montana Muse programs have been able to include or feature music created by Native American people in Montana. Future Ear to the World programs will also explore the music of First Nations people of North and South America. And much, much more!

Education: We are still working on our Indian Education outreach program. (Partnering with OPI and local school districts to help them fulfill the Indian Education mandate. For more information, please call us!)

If you have an interest in helping with this project, we would love to have your assistance! Please call or e-mail us!!

Presentations for students at all levels remain available on a variety of topics within our focus areas.

Please see above and elsewhere in this website for our seminar on green business (Green to Gold) and our wildlands and the human spirit-focused retreat in Red Lodge (WildPATHS). 

For more information on these programs or to offer your assistance, call us at 294-2260 or email us at musEco@imt.net.