Writer Rick Bass receives 2018 Governor's Arts Award

Writer and Yaak Valley resident Rick Bass is one of six recipients of the 2018 Governor’s Arts Award, according to a Montana Arts Council news release.

“The Governor’s Arts Award honors outstanding citizens and organizations in Montana whose achievements in the arts, or on behalf of the arts, benefit all Montanans,” the news release states. “The six honorees for this year’s award were nominated by members of the public and selected by the Governor’s Arts Awards Committee of the Montana Arts Council.”

“I consider Rick an important national writer and a Montana treasure,” writer Thomas McGuane stated in nominating Bass, the news release states.

According to the news release, Bass’ numerous works includes four novellas, two anthologies and 17 non-fiction books. He has been awarded fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, and has taught and lectured at The University of Montana and Montana State University. He also serves on the boards of the Yaak Valley Forest Council and Round River Conservation Studies.

Bass and the other recipients — Monte Dolack of Missoula, Jackie Parsons of Browning, Kevin Red Star of Roberts, Jaune Quick-To-See Smith of Corrales, New Mexico, and Annick Smith of Bonner — will be presented with their awards during a ceremony at the Capitol in Helena 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7. A reception follows from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The public is invited to both events.

The six join the ranks of 102 honorees who have received the award since the first awards were given in 1981.