Danforth Museum of Art

The vision of the Danforth Museum of Art (DMA) is to contribute to building an inclusive and diverse arts community that inspires curiosity, encourages learning, and sustains creativity.

Our mission is To celebrate the legacy of Livingston’s arts community and expand engagement with art through exhibitions, education and the permanent collection.

Who we are & What we do:

The Danforth Museum of Art began in 1971 as Livingston's first dedicated private art gallery and studio, offering art for sale and art lessons to the community. It transitioned into a nonprofit in 1974, kicking off half a century of community-centered art education and exhibitions. 

As it emerged from the pandemic in 2021, the Danforth transformed away from traditional art retail into a museum model of art engagement. Rebranded as the Danforth Museum of Art, the DMA preserves the community’s artistic legacy and expands community engagement through exhibitions, educational outreach, and the care and sharing of its permanent collection.

The robust exhibitions program presents work that educates and engages museum visitors and the community at large, recognizing art as a vital form of communication. It reflects the role of art in shaping community, culture, and society, and places an intentional emphasis on elevating marginalized voices. 

Complementing this work, the DMA delivers educational programs through partnerships with schools and community organizations. The Educational Outreach Program (EOP) provides meaningful art education opportunities for youth and young adults, with frequent emphasis on underserved and marginalized students. The program is designed to support creative expression, standards-aligned learning outcomes, and build community connections. 

As a community-oriented and mission-driven organization, the DMA holds, and makes publicly accessible, a permanent art collection representing the area’s artistic legacy. The collection is envisioned as a resource to the community, and as such, it is cared for and managed with public access as its primary function.

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The Danforth Museum of art supports and engages the Livingston and Park County communities through three core activities: caring for the permanent collection, engaging with community partners in educational initiatives, and providing the gallery space as a safe and accessible platform to elevate a diversity of voices, including the marginalized or underprivileged.

Exhibitions:

The DMA exhibitions are the primary public exposure to the work of the museum. The DMA will produce exhibitions that enlighten, educate, and expand the possible roles that art can serve in a society. Each exhibit must serve at least one of the following goals: Raise marginalized voices, celebrate art as a form of expressive communication, reflect the role of art in the formation of community, culture, and society. 

Permanent Collection:

The collection is envisioned as a resource to the community. As such, it will be cared for and managed with public access as its primary function. Professionally organize and care for the permanent collection within archival standards and practices. Elevate and expand public access to the permanent collection through online platforms and in-person experiences.

Education:

The DMA delivers art education programming through its Education Outreach Program (EOP). The program’s lesson planning and delivery support each school or institution’s needs and are grounded in measurable goals and Montana's art education content standards. 

Our goal is to connect the Livingston community with its youth through student art creation and appreciation experiences. We provide opportunities for all youth and young adults, with a particular emphasis on marginalized, underserved, and Native children in our community. We aim to use the Danforth’s resources to elevate their voices in their community and increase their own understanding of the world around them.

Testimonials

"Through this process, I learned it's easier to express my thoughts through art than out loud." - PHS student Education Outreach Program participant

"You are loved. You are smart and strong and amazing. You moved me to tears! Way to go!!!" - Museum visitor responding to the Education Outreach Program exhibit