Summer Teen Art Project 2025

Summer TAP 2025 is more than an art program—it’s a space where youth creativity and civic engagement flourish. By exploring the intersections of science, culture, and contemporary art, TAP artists contribute meaningful public works that reflect the values and stories of our community. MAM’s commitment to youth empowerment and interdisciplinary learning helped shape a program that not only cultivates artistic skills but also deepens students’ understanding of environmental and cultural resilience.  

2025 culminated in the creation of a stunning 14' x 10' public mural celebrating Montana’s ecosystem heroes: bison, beavers, and prairie dogs. Under the artistic direction of Resident Artist Joanna LaPorte, 16 teen artists collaborated to design and paint this vibrant mural, now installed on the exterior of the Adventure Cycling building in the Art Park. 

Through partnerships with wildlife biologists, ecologists, and MAM exhibiting artists Jason Elliott Clark (Algonquin descendant) and Stephen Hunt (Blackfeet, Nez Perce, Sioux, Pend d ‘Oreille, Chippewa Cree heritage), students gained a deep understanding of the role’s keystone species play in maintaining healthy ecosystems—insights they brought to life through visual storytelling.

Major support for Summer TAP 2025 was provided by the Missoula Downtown Foundation, the Montana Arts Council, and Adventure Cycling Association. Special thanks to Front Street Pizza and Garage Tees for their generous in-kind contributions.