C M Russell Museum

Collections and exhibitions: in 2024, 28,854 people visited the c.mCM.m. Russell Museum in person and virtually. The Russell works continue to be displayed thematically with an addition of collector's vision: c.mCM.m. Russell work from collector tom petrie. Seven major rotating exhibitions were on display in 2024: discovering Russell: the mckay collection, modest yet masterful: small scale masterworks by charles M. Russell, greetings from charlie and bullhead lodge, capturing the west: joseph henry sharp & edward s curtis, expedition west: a journey on the upper Missouri 1832-1834 prints by karl bodmer, is this a real Russell? And the Russell exhibition and sale. The Museum also provides evening exhibit openings to Museum members free of charge as a way to encourage participation in the Museum. Staff continues to engage new methods of reaching potential audiences by utilizing digital and print ads as well as social media. Staff in this area continually monitors the status of both permanent collection pieces as well as those on loan and manage and improve the environment for all of the art. The Museum received donations of art and artifacts during the year valued by the donors at $855,620. The collections and exhibitions area directly supports the Museum's mission.

Education/public programs: in support of its mission, the Museum offers free admission to the public during western art week. Free admission is also offered to a symposium featuring scholars in the field of western art and history. The Museum continues its educational programs including the fifth grade tours and essay contest for city and county students who's essays are featured at a special proclamation ceremony related to the Russell, sunday sampler (collaborative effort with the local great falls museums consortium), and saddles & spurs, an arts and crafts focused event for young families in the community. Exhibitions were supported through programming by offering lectures and educational components virtually. The education department continues to explore safe ways to conduct classes and programming for patrons along with virtual programming to reach a broader audience.

Museum services: the purpose of the trigg-russell Foundation, Inc. is to operate and maintain the c.mCM.m. Russell Museum, while following the mission of the organization. The Museum requires operations staff on site during all open hours to ensure safety for staff, visitors, volunteers, and the collections. Museum staff maintain the grounds and building. Museum services also includes guest relations to serve the Museum visitors, the administrative staff, event coordination, and the Museum store, which furthers the Museum's image and recognition with branded products as well as merchandise related to charles M. Russell and the mission of the Museum. The Museum continues efforts in order to sustain visitation, membership, volunteers, and fundraising. The Museum offered free programs to residents as a way of inviting them to see what the Museum includes and the depth and range of the institution's role in the community. Such examples include saddles and spurs, lectures, and the educational symposium during the Russell. All of these areas are essential to carrying out the mission of the Museum and each component must work with the other to be successful in the Museum's current and future endeavors.