Our Work
Storytelling builds more than skills.
It strengthens voice, connection & direction.
MAPS believes
Communities carry what young people need to grow whole, connected, and capable. Our role is to bring artists, tools, and creative practices that open space for listening, making, and connecting across generations. Media arts and storytelling give young people a way to explore where they come from, who they are, and what they want to carry forward. At MAPS, the relationships, trust, and creative freedom built into learning are part of what makes the work possible. Along the MAPS path, young people build the skills, confidence, and connections to navigate change and build lives of meaning and possibility.
MAPS Studios
MAPS Studios operate as year-round community spaces where students, families, teaching artists, and neighbors come together to create, learn, and connect across generations.
Click on a program to learn more!
Ravalli County Program
515 Madison Street, Hamilton, MT, 59840 | EST. 2004
Nestled in one of Montana’s most storied valleys, the Ravalli County studio draws on a rich tradition of ranching, conservation, and cultural exchange. Programs here often explore the tension and beauty of a landscape that is simultaneously ancient and rapidly changing.
Lewis & Clark County Program
1015 Poplar Street, Helena, MT, 59601 | EST. 2019
Located in Montana’s capital city, the Helena studio sits at the intersection of civic history and contemporary community life. Programs here engage students and community members in exploring governance, identity, and the stories that shape public memory.
Fort Belknap Program
73 South Main Street, Harlem, MT 59526 | EST. 2024
The Fort Belknap studio is a community-rooted space dedicated to amplifying the voices of the Aaniiih and Nakoda Tribes. Programs here center Indigenous language revitalization, intergenerational knowledge transfer, and living storytelling traditions.
Beyond the Studio
Some of our work doesn’t fit inside four walls. These programs travel to communities across Montana or build on existing studio classes, connecting students with real-world opportunities wherever they are.
Click to connect!
MAPS Media Lab
MAPS Media Lab extends our reach, bringing professional equipment, experienced instructors, and hands-on programming to rural and Tribal communities across the state. Offering workshops ranging from short intensives to multi-week collaborations, the Media Lab partners with local organizations and cultural leaders to guide students in creating impactful film, photography, and digital storytelling projects.