Isabelle Flammond has received three Youth Grants to attend Rocky Mountain Ballet Academy in Missoula.
Alpine Artisans (AAI) began it’s Youth Grant and Senior Scholarship program 30 years ago to provide financial help to students that have an interest in the arts. Since 1995, AAI has awarded over $22,000 in 97 separate Youth Grants to students in grades K-12 and $21,100 to 30 high school graduates to pursue a major or minor in the arts. All public and home-schooled students K-12, living in the Blackfoot or Seeley-Swan Valleys, are eligible to apply for Youth Art Grants.
The funds support expenses for instruction in arts such as visual art, graphic design, drama, dance, creative writing, film or music. Expenses may include tuition for private lessons, camps, supplies, instruments or workshops. Youth grants are awarded year-round.
The Senior Scholarship was created to support tuition or fees for post-secondary education. Eligibility includes high school students in their senior year attending Seeley-Swan High School, Lincoln High School or a home-school program residing in the Blackfoot or Seeley Swan Valley. In 2024, three senior scholarships were awarded. While pursuit of an art degree is most applicable, other degree paths will be considered. This year’s application deadline for the Senior Scholarship is April 18.
The application for Youth Grants and the Senior Scholarship is available at: https://www.alpineartisans.org/grants-scholarships. Are you unsure where to find an instructor or a youth arts summer camp? The same website offers a list of Youth Grant Resources featuring instructors in music, piano, ballet, ceramics and numerous youth summer art camps in the area.
Alpine Artisans raises most of the funding for these programs from the annual Loon and Fish raffle, supported by raffle prizes contributed from local businesses and individuals. “Over the years, local businesses and our own artists have understood the value of this program. They generously contribute items for our raffle such as backcountry adventure trips, artwork, even dump truck loads of road mix,” said Jean Dickey, AAI’s Raffle Coordinator.
These programs have a significant impact. Potomac sixth grader Isabelle Flammond has received three Youth Grants to attend Rocky Mountain Ballet Academy in Missoula. Her mother, Amy Flammond said, “There couldn’t be any greater joy. It teaches them discipline and responsibility and offers the compassion and care that is sometimes hard to find in society.”
“As a parent this day and age, kids are more into the electronics, so taking ballet lessons is a nice change. It was honestly amazing to watch her perform – that she’s not afraid,” Flammond continued. “The confidence boost that it gives her – I’ve seen a whole new Bella come out in the last few years as a result of her experience at Rocky Mountain Ballet Academy.”
“The Alpine Artisans Youth Grant program is an incredible resource for our kids. I would encourage any family to apply, even if a child is the slightest bit curious. It’s a wonderful gift,” said Carrie Benton, parent of tenth grader Sera Benton, a two-time youth grant recipient.
Sera shared this from her experience taking guitar lessons. “It takes work, but it’s fun. Many kids would be deterred by callouses on your fingers, but for me it was this new world that opened up. It’s been amazing.”
Sera has performed with her guitar at the 2024 Loon and Fish Festival, the 2025 Winterfest Gala and as part of the bluegrass jam Tuesday evenings at Double Arrow Lodge.
“My goal is to learn as much as possible – it’s like climbing an infinite ladder; you can always get better. Without the youth grants, I wouldn’t have been able to go as far as I have,” Sera said. “It’s been really amazing experience to have this music in my life.”
If you want more information about either program, contact Tom Browder at 646-894-0246, [email protected] or Bob Green, 406-317-2763, [email protected].
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