The Clay Studio of Missoula Endowment

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In 2022, The Clay Studio of Missoula Endowment was established with the Missoula Community Foundation. Planned giving is an easy way to leave a gift for the community or interest areas you care about most. If you are interested in having The Clay Studio of Missoula be a part of your estate plan and have questions, please contact Executive Director Shalene Valenzuela (director@theclaystudioofmissoula.org/406-543-0509).

 

You may also contribute directly to the endowment on The Missoula Community Foundation's website. For stock donations, Montana Endowment qualifying gifts, or non-monetary gifts to our endowment, The Missoula Community Foundation will work with donors to get these gifts set up.

 

 

 

Residency Fellowships & Scholarships 

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Resident Fellowships awards are currently $2,500 and offer one year to support to a long-term resident artist who demonstrates exceptional merit and promise. Fellow awards will allow residents the increased opportunity to focus their attention on their work during their residency.  Current fellowships may be established annually for $2750. Backers are encouraged to fund a fellowship for a minimum of two years. Our goal over the next 5 years is to increase the amount of support and provide fellowships to all five long term residents annually.

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The Resident Scholarship Program supports eligible long-term residents who do not receive fellowship funding for the year. Long term residents are eligible for merit-based awards up to $1200 for one full year. We are working to build the fund to also offer stipends to short term resident artists. Donors may contribute any amount during the year to our Resident Scholarship Fund.

 

Contact Executive Director Shalene Valenzuela to learn more about the Resident Scholarship & Fellowship Program and how to contribute (406-543-0509/director@theclaystudioofmissoula.org)

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Thank you to the Sippy Foundation, who is a pledged five year sponsor our inaugural Fellowship Program starting in 2021!

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Other Restricted Gifts 

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Are you passionate about a specific part of our programming and wish to direct your support where it matters most to you? 

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Currently Established Restricted Funds

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Youth Scholarship Fund

Our youth scholarship fund provides both full and partial financial aid to individual youth who wish to participate in onsite classes and camps, and also enables us to provide free onsite group workshops to organizations serving youth in the community.

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Wood Fire Fund

Funds support ongoing maintenance & upkeep of wood kiln site, plus Biennial Wood Fire Invitational educational opportunities and activities. 

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After School Program Fund

For nearly a decade, we have provided free Claymania! after school programming for the Flagship Program. Thanks to support from the Montana Arts Council in spring 2022, and an American Rescue Plan grant through the Montana Office of Public Instruction, in 2022/23, we now offer free after school programs to five Missoula area public schools per week. We hope to sustain this program beyond 2022/23, and will need additional support to do so. 

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Contact Executive Director Shalene Valenzuela if you's like to contribute to a specific fund listed above (406-543-0509/director@theclaystudioofmissoula.org). You may also specify on your donation if you'd like it to be directed to a specific fund on your mailed check, or make a note of it in an online contribution through our Donate Now link. 

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Our "Wish List"

There are other programs that we aim to establish so we can better serve those in our community and make clay accessible to all. Though we are working behind the scenes to develop support for these funds, if you are interested in helping us get a head start in making these a reality, or have other programs you may be interested in supporting or providing resources for, please do reach out! 

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Need Based Scholarships for Adults in Our Community

Mobile Clay Arts Program to Expand Access

Exhibition Sponsorships

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