The annual Montana Center for the Book Prize is awarded to up to five programs in recognition of excellent work promoting literacy and literature in Montana. Award-winning programs receive $1,000 and public recognition.
Montana Center for the Book Prize Recognizes:
2020 Winners
- Alpine Artisans, Seeley Lake
Since 2007, Alpine Artisans has sponsored a series of author readings each year called The Open Book Club, serving the rural Seeley, Swan and Blackfoot Valleys of western Montana. Over a hundred authors, including Bill Kittredge, Victor Charlo, Jamie Ford, Annick Smith, Peter Stark, Henry Real Bird, and Dee McNamer have met with readers at the local trading post for literary readings and conversations. Each event begins with a local student reading their published poetry. Many authors go into the schools as well, including a full day residency with Henry Real Bird in Seeley Lake Elementary and Seeley Swan High School. In turn, Alpine Artisans partners with the local newspaper’s Junior Journal column and the Missoula Writing Collaborative. Exposure to professional writers is a highlight for these students and a beloved experience for all the audience members who attend. - Montana State University Billings Creative Writing Center, Billings
The Young Poets Program offers elementary school students the opportunity to learn about poetry from professional poets in residence and to write and perform their own poetry with guidance and feedback. Founded in 2012 by MSU Billings professor and poet Tami Haaland, and now sponsored by the Creative Writing Center at MSUB, Young Poets is based on a national model, uses national and regional poetry resources and local writing talent, and incorporates music for at least one lesson, which allows students to engage in collaborating with a local, professional musician, as well. Most recently poets Anna Paige, Dave Caserio, and Josh Michael worked with kids in 11 different classrooms in Orchard Elementary and Bench Elementary Schools in Billings over a 10-week period. Despite the challenges of the current year, the program organizers are planning for spring 2021 and hope to expand to reach more young poets in additional schools. - Belgrade Community Library, Belgrade
Started in 2020, One Book Belgrade is the annual community read put on by the Belgrade Community Library. Each year, a book by a local author is selected and programs for all ages are planned around the book’s themes. By collaborating with other organizations to offer books and events, the program provides adults with creative outlets and opportunities to learn together. This year’s selection, Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan is a fictionalized true story of a forgotten hero in WWII Italy. Through art classes, an escape room, a panel event, and author talk, readers focused on themes of family, honor, bravery, and love. One Book Belgrade fosters connections by bringing people together to read, kicks off the annual adult winter reading program, and is something the community can look forward to year after year.
2020 Advisory Committee
-
Caroline Bitz
Humanities Montana board member, Belgrade - Carol Bradley
Humanities Montana board member, Great Falls -
Debbie Garland
Humanities Montana board member, Missoula -
Danell Jones
Author, Billings -
Rebecca Kohl
Archivist, Helena -
Thomas Nurmi
Assistant professor, Montana State University Billings -
Andrea Peacock
Owner, Elk River Books, Livingston -
Bernard Rose
Literary programmer, Billings Public Library
Interested in serving on the advisory committee? Email john.knight@humanitiesmontana.org