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Pocatello Arts Council renews community programs, donates to food bank and sustains long‑running Shakespeare event
Summary
The Pocatello Arts Council reported grants, events and a $10,000 annual allocation tied to an original $100,000 settlement; highlights include Empty Bowls fundraising and the 40th year of Montana Shakespeare in the Park.
Dale Spencer, chairman of the Pocatello Arts Council, told the council the group’s annual allocation remains $10,000 from a settlement established in 1991 and that about $32,000 of the original $100,000 remains available for projects.
Spencer summarized fiscal 2025 work and plans for 2026: the Empty Bowls fundraising partnership with Gatto Food Bank (about $2,000 raised at Jim Dandy in 2025), continued sponsorship of Montana Shakespeare in the Park (the 40th season, with more than 1,000 attendees at the ISU Quad in 2025), Festival of Trees participation, monthly featured-artist promotion during art walks, grants to local artists, and a new Golden Pumpkin nonmonetary award for notable Halloween decorations.
Spencer said the arts council assists by soliciting city partners and private donors to spread the cost of larger events (he cited a typical performance cost of about $2,500) and praised the city’s new branding materials for use in promotions. He invited continued cooperation between the council, city staff and community donors to sustain events and artist grants.
No council actions were taken; the presentation was informational and council members thanked the arts council for ongoing programming.
