The 8 Best Museums in Helena, Montana (MT)

The Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts (Bray) is a nonprofit, educational institution dedicated to the enrichment of the ceramic arts. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located three miles from downtown Helena, Montana. Founded in 1951 on the site of the former Western Clay Manufacturing Company, the Bray was the first artist residency program in the United States devoted solely to ceramics. For over sixty years ceramic artists from around the world have come to the Bray to make artwork, share experiences and explore new ideas. The Bray also offers community ceramics classes for adults and children, exhibitions and special events throughout the year as well as specialized workshops in ceramics. The Bray’s facilities include year-round and seasonal artist studios, a community ceramics studio, sales gallery, rotating exhibition spaces, kiln facilities, and a retail ceramic supply business. The 26 acre grounds also display site-specific sculpture and artwork left by past resident artists.Galleries and grounds are open and free to the public throughout the year for the exhibition and sale of artwork by resident artists. The Sales Gallery is open Monday–Saturday from 10 am–5 pm and Sunday from 1–5 pm. A self-guided walking tour of the grounds is available anytime during daylight hours. Guided tours for larger groups are available by appointment. The Bray is located at 2915 Country Club Ave., just 1/3 mile West of Spring Meadow Lake.

Cooperative art gallery owned by 13 local artists. Paintings in oil, watercolor, and acrylic. Bronze sculptures. Rock mosaics. Fused glass and glass sculptures. Photography. Jewelry. Mixed media with agate and glass.

1+1=1 Gallery shows contemporary fine art by Montana and regional artists. Our mission is to strengthen the arts community of Helena and to support artists. We do this by expanding beyond the walls of our gallery into the neighborhood. By providing emerging and new artists a place to exhibit and learn about working with galleries, promote their art and deepen their connection to their collectors and appreciators. By representing mid-career and established artists who want to be part of an unpretentious, friendly and curious gallery. By having a ranges of art styles and prices from affordable to high end. There is something for everyone here. Even if you are not buying you can appreciate! You can find ceramic and wood sculpture, paintings, printmaking, fine furniture, artist-made jewelry, mixed media art, and functional ceramics. We would be delighted to see you at 1+1=1!

Reopening Saturday, April 17! Members-only preview weekends April 3 & 4 and 10 & 11! Looking for fun things to do in Helena? ExplorationWorks! Montana's Science Center in Helena knows how to help family members of all ages have fun with science. Little Sky Country is set aside especially for the pre-K crowd. Depending upon the season, you may encounter a hive of bees busily creating Helena honey or watch Trout hatchlings gradually grow to releasable size in Montana's rivers. Navigate the physics of water at our water table and experience hurricane force winds. Open and close tubes to design your own air pathways at the Air Maze. Wear your creative hats designing reverse designs at the Pin Impression Board. You never know what you'll encounter at Montana's Science Center in Helena. Come explore with us!

A place for outdoor discovery and conservation education, the center is adjacent to Spring Meadow Lake in Helena, Montana. Learn about Montana's wildlife and wild landscapes through exhibits, videos, a native plant garden, a large aquarium with native fish, and community programs. You might even get to see one of the ambassador owls or eagles. *Free admission.