Masquerade at the Yellowstone Art Museum
When: Saturday, October 28, 2023
Tickets: $55
Tickets on Sale: Friday, September 1 at 10 AM

The most creative and awe-inspiring Halloween party in town, Masquerade at the Yellowstone Art Museum, is back for another night of entertainment, dancing, mystics, and so much more! Guests will be wowed by live performances, tarot and mystic readings, Billings’ most creative costume contest, photo booths, and a packed dancefloor run by DJ Benefit. Party goers will also enjoy cocktails, local brews and festive appetizers.

This year’s theme is Beam Me Up! Planet Earth is in the rear view. Humanity including ghouls, monsters, aliens, celebrities, and everyone in between is on a voyage through the stars for one night only to an alternate galaxy…things will inevitably get…strange! The YAM invites guests to interpret the theme in any way that inspires their creativity. Guests should note that the theme is NOT required, but rather up for interpretation. We encourage attendees to let their creativity shine when considering their individual or group costumes by hosting the ultimate premier costume contest—and, yes, there will be prizes!

COSTUME CONTEST CATEGORIES:
• Best Theme Interpretation
• Best Art-Inspired Costume
• Best Couple Costume
• Best Group Costume (3+)

The YAM is thrilled to bring the Masquerade back to the community on Saturday, October 28, 2023. Doors will open at 7 PM and the fun wraps up at 11 PM. You don’t want to miss this sell-out event at the Yellowstone Art Museum.

Stay tuned for exciting updates on our Facebook page.

THE NIGHT at the YELLOWSTONE ART MUSEUM
Saturday, September 9, 2023

Yellowstone Art Auction 56
Celebrating the YAM’s 60th Anniversary year in 2024!
NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS! Applications open: 8/31/2023 – 1/1/2023
Exhibition Opening: Friday, February 2, 2024
Closing Live Auction and 60th Anniversary Gala Event: Saturday, March 2, 2024

The Yellowstone Art Museum is pleased to be seeking submissions for Yellowstone Art Auction 56. We invite local artists and supporters to join in the celebration of our 60th anniversary year in 2024, kicking off with our signature Art Auction exhibition and events! Silent and live auction works will be displayed throughout the Yellowstone Art Museum from Friday, February 2, 2024, through the culminating Live Auction Gala event on Saturday, March 2, 2024.

New this year! Artists are welcome to submit work no larger 225 square inches or 15 x 15 inches for our Small Works Gallery.

Artists can submit their art for free using the coupon code YAM56 through October 1, 2023, after which a $35 fee will be required.

WinterFair
When: Friday, December 1, 2023 | 11 AM – 8 PM

The Yellowstone Art Museum is again hosting WinterFair on December 1, 2023! The Arts and Craft Market will showcase local artisan vendors throughout the museum featuring hand-made goods and more. Start your holiday shopping locally by visiting the YAM’s WinterFair.

Come to the YAM to enjoy a unique artistic experience every First Friday of the month!

Meet a local artist, listen to the sounds of a talented musician, participate in a stimulating lecture — every First Friday is different. Every First Friday museum admission is free from 4 – 8 PM. 

First Friday at the YAM

Free admission from 4 – 8 PM! All 4 galleries at the YAM are open with new exhibitions.
Friday, September 1, 2023 | 4 – 8 PM

Check out our current full lineup of exhibitions at the YAM.

THE NIGHT Live auction and Gala
Art Evolved: Intertwined (SAQA Global Exhibition)
Activating the Surface: Paul Harris
Will James in Magazines

Presentation by Gavin Woltjer
Will James: The Consummate Storyteller
Thursday, August 17, 2023 | 5 PM Reception and 6 PM Presentation

Using resources from the Billings Public Library archives, Library Director Gavin Woltjer presents Will James: The Consummate Storyteller. Over the course of several decades, James—artist, storyteller, writer, and cattle rustler—invented a new persona for himself, evolved this persona, and used it to separate himself from his past to tell his stories and share his art. The evidence for this claim rests in James’ signature.

Museum admission is free on Thursdays from 5 – 8 PM

Contemporary Art in Chelsea and Beyond: New York City

Experience the vibrant contemporary art scene in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City this summer with the Yellowstone Art Museum!

An exclusive small group tour for YAM Contributor Level Members with Jessica Kay Ruhle, Executive Director of the Yellowstone Art Museum.

We invite you to travel to New York City with us to visit the Jaune Quick-To-See Smith: Memory Map a retrospective at the Whitney Museum of American Art which prominently features two works from the YAM’s permanent collection. This tour will be guided by the exhibition curator, Laura Phipps, Assistant Curator at the Whitney Museum.

Additionally, trip participants will enjoy tours of the contemporary art galleries in Chelsea, the public art installed along the High Line, and visits to the Museum of Modern Art and Museum of Arts and Design. Travelers will have options to include a performance at the Metropolitan Opera (Swan Lake, July 11) and a Broadway show.

The trip price includes all museum and gallery experiences, tour-related transportation, and two shared meals at celebrated restaurants in Chelsea.

We hope you will join us for this special, behind-the-scenes tour of the Chelsea contemporary art scene. Complete your enrollment online today!

PRICE

Cost is $985 per person and includes all museum experiences, tour-related transportation, and a celebratory group meal in Chelsea. The price does not include hotel (see below), airfare to NYC, or transportation to and from the airport. Tickets to the Metropolitan Opera (Swan Lake, July 11) and a Broadway Show (July 13) are optional.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Museum staff will be based at the centrally located Fairfield Inn & Suites, NYC Midtown/Penn Station. Travelers wishing to stay at the Fairfield Inn should reserve their room directly through the hotel or their preferred third-party travel site. Live locally or prefer a different hotel? No problem. However, trip participants not at the Fairfield Inn will be responsible for their own morning transportation.

RESERVATIONS 

Email Precious to make your reservation today! With room for only 10 guests, space will fill quickly. Registration is only open until June 11.

This exclusive tour is available to current YAM Contributing Level Members and above. If you are not already a Contributing Level Member, that annual membership will be added to the cost of your trip registration.

Questions? Please contact Precious McKenzie at 406-256-6804 x225.

In addition to First Fridays of each month, where Museum admission is free from 4–8 PM, YAM also has the following day when admission is free:

Valentine’s Day
Tuesday, February 14, Free Admission

International Museum Day
Thursday, May 18, Free Admission

Will James’s Birthday
Tuesday, June 6, Free Admission

Educator Day
Saturday, October 7, Free Admission

Indigenous People Day Observed
Sunday, October 8, Free Admission

Veterans Day
Saturday, November 11, Free Admission

YAM members can visit the Museum free-of-charge year-round.

National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families

The Yellowstone Art Museum will proudly participate in the Blue Star Museum program, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the U.S. Department of Defense. The Blue Star Museum program provides free admission to the YAM, and other museums across the country, beginning on May 20, 2023, Armed Forces Day, through September 4, 2023, Labor Day, for all active- duty military personnel and their families, including the National Guards and Reserves. We thank our military and their families for their commitment and service.