Helena may be a small town steeped in rough and rowdy frontier history, but it is rich in cultural arts. The Holter Museum of Art showcases historical to contemporary art by regional artists and craftsmen. The Archie Bray Foundation for Ceramic Arts is recognized worldwide for its ceramic art exhibits. Artists like Bernard Leach, Tre Arenz and Shoji Hamada have fired their works of art in the kilns at The Bray. Want exercise your creative muse? The Bray isn’t for professional artists only. There are classes for beginners to advanced students, workshops, lectures and special events year round. Go on a treasure for a piece of Helena art at the annual Sidewalk Art Mart and unique Last Chance Bear Encounter.

Since frontier days of Old West traveling troupes to Vaudeville and current Broadway touring performances, Helena has been the center of performing arts in Montana. The Myrna Loy Center of Performing and Media Arts has hosted over 650 live performances over the past 13 years in Helena. Shakespeare in Montana? Of course. The Montana Shakespeare Company performs full-length favorites by the Bard.