Archie Bray Foundation

THE ARCHIE BRAY FOUNDATION FOR THE CERAMIC ARTS WAS FOUNDED IN 1951 BY BRICKMAKER ARCHIE BRAY, WHO INTENDED IT TO BE "A PLACE TO MAKE AVAILABLE FOR ALL WHO ARE SERIOUSLY INTERESTED IN ANY OF THE BRANCHES OF THE CERAMIC ARTS, A FINE PLACE TO WORK." ITS PRIMARY MISSION IS TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT STIMULATES CREATIVE WORK IN CERAMICS.

THE PRIMARY MISSION OF THE ARCHIE BRAY FOUNDATION (THE "FOUNDATION") IS TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT STIMULATES CREATIVE WORK IN CERAMICS - FOR ARTISTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, TEACHERS, STUDENTS, CHILDREN, CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS, COLLECTORS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE BRAY WAS FOUNDED IN 1951 AS THE FIRST RESIDENCY PROGRAM IN THE UNITED STATES DEVOTED TO CERAMICS. TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR THE BRAY, THE ABF FUND WAS FOUNDED AS A SUPPORTING FOUNDATION IN 2022. WORKING TOGETHER, THE MISSIONS OF THE ORGANIZATIONS ARE TO ALLOW THE BRAY TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT STIMULATES, PROMOTES, AND EXHIBITS INNOVATIVE, CREATIVE WORK IN CERAMICS. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED PRIMARILY THROUGH A YEAR-ROUND RESIDENCY PROGRAM. THE ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDE STUDIO SPACE, FUNDING, AND FACILITIES FOR CERAMIC ARTISTS WITH DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, CULTURES, AND AESTHETIC APPROACHES TO ADVANCE THEIR WORK. THROUGH THE PUBLIC WORK OF THE BRAY, THE ORGANIZATIONS SERVE BOTH THE FIELD OF CERAMIC ARTS AS WELL AS THE REGIONAL AND LOCAL COMMUNITY THROUGH A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, EXHIBITIONS, A CERAMIC SUPPLY, PUBLIC EVENTS, LECTURES, SCHOOL TOURS, AND A PERMANENT COLLECTION OF CERAMICS AVAILABLE FOR SCHOLARS INTERESTED IN RESEARCHING CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS FROM THE 60'S TO PRESENT TIME. ON AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, THE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE SERVED THE FIELD OF CERAMICS BY BRINGING TOGETHER ARTISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD WITH TALENT, CURIOSITY AND COMMITMENT AND PROVIDING THEM WITH THE FACILITIES AND FREEDOM TO EXPLORE THEIR CREATIVE VOICES. THE ORGANIZATIONS WORK TOGETHER TO ALLOW THE BRAY TO OFFER TEN LONG-TERM RESIDENCIES THAT LAST FOR UP TO TWO YEARS, TEN SUMMER RESIDENCIES, AND 6-8 SHORT-TERM RESIDENCIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. RESIDENTS ARE SELECTED ANNUALLY FROM A POOL OF APPLICANTS BY A ROTATING PANEL OF THREE REVIEWERS INCLUDING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. ALL RESIDENTS RECEIVE FREE STUDIO SPACE, EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES, DISCOUNTED MATERIALS, AND ACCESS TO ONE OF THE TOP KILN-FIRING FACILITIES IN THE UNITED STATES. DEDICATED TO SERVING THE MONTANA AND HELENA COMMUNITIES, THE ORGANIZATIONS HOST ANNUAL PROGRAMMING AT THE BRAY AND IN OTHER VENUES WHICH IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, CLASSES FOR VOCATIONAL ARTISTS, AND A CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR MORE ACCOMPLISHED CERAMICISTS TAUGHT BY ARTISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. SITE-SPECIFIC SCULPTURES MADE BY RESIDENT ARTISTS ARE FEATURED THROUGHOUT THE 26-ACRE CAMPUS WHICH IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR A SELF-GUIDED TOUR DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. SCHOOL GROUPS MAKE REQUESTS FOR GUIDED TOURS.