Great Falls has some great museums. Artist Charles M. Russell painted landscapes, the spirit, and the culture of the West during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Russell’s log studio is adjacent to his home
and is filled with authentic cowboy gear and Indian artifacts that Russell collected and used as models for his paintings and sculptures. The C.M. Russell home is furnished with period pieces and items from the Russell family. In addition to works by Russell, the museum displays original 19th, 20th, and 21st century art of the American Old West. Originally built to house the city’s first high school, Great Falls High School, the building now serves as the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art. The museum maintains a permanent collection of over pieces, including Northwest regional contemporary art, American Indian contemporary art, and American self-taught art. A good part of the collection is made up of sculptures created from cottonwood branches and found objects by self-taught artist Lee Steen.
The museum also presents more than 20 exhibitions a year of selected artists. The Community Recreation center is used by many in the city for there workouts with its fitness center, basketball courts, gymnasium and dance studio.