Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art in Great Falls, Montana, pairs contemporary art with the history of a sandstone school building. You can see works from its permanent collection, visit the sculpture garden and check out exhibitions, classes and other programs.
- Address: 1400 1st Ave N, Great Falls, MT 59401
- The collection includes more than 1,000 works.
- Admission and off-street parking are free.
- Regular hours run Tuesday through Saturday; the museum is closed Sunday and Monday.
About Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art
Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art occupies a sandstone building completed in 1896, first used as a high school and later as a junior high.
The building served as Central High School for 34 years and Paris Gibson Junior High for 45 years, before closing in 1975. Community volunteers renovated and reopened it as Paris Gibson Square in 1977. Since then, the museum has hosted contemporary art exhibitions, classes, lectures, docent tours and performances.
Known as The Square, the museum sits at 1400 1st Ave N. Its grounds include a sculpture garden, and Gibson Park is another nearby place of interest. A one-day Great Falls itinerary for museums and local sights can help you plan how to combine local stops.
Exhibitions and Visitor Experience
The museum’s permanent collection contains more than 1,000 works, including Northwest regional contemporary art, American Indian contemporary art and American self-taught art.
One permanent feature is the Lee Steen installation, created in 2001. It consists of figures made from cottonwood branches and found objects. You can also look around the outdoor sculpture garden on the museum grounds.
Exhibitions and public programs are part of the museum’s schedule, alongside classes, lectures, docent tours and performances. If you’re planning a day around Great Falls museums, the question of what to know before visiting the C. M. Russell Museum can help you consider another art stop.
Hours, Admission, and Accessibility
Opening hours
- Tuesday: 10 AM–9 PM
- Wednesday to Friday: 10 AM–5 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM–3 PM
- Monday and Sunday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Admission and off-street parking are free. The museum closes for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the following day, and Christmas Day through New Year’s Day. Hours and closures can affect your plans, so check the official site before you go.
The building is ADA accessible, with an elevator serving all floors and accessible bathrooms on the first floor. A wheelchair is available near the elevator, and the west-side entrance has a powered door. Classrooms, galleries and the gift shop are wheelchair accessible. Docent tours with a sign-language interpreter can be arranged with advance notice.
How do you get from Central Motel to Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art?
Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art is about a five-minute drive from Central Motel, a motel in Great Falls. The museum’s street address is 1400 1st Ave N, Great Falls, MT 59401.
FAQs
What is Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art known for?
It presents contemporary art in a former school building and has a permanent collection spanning Northwest regional contemporary art, American Indian contemporary art and American self-taught art.
Is admission free?
Yes. Admission and off-street parking are free.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The museum has an accessible elevator on all floors, accessible first-floor bathrooms and wheelchair-accessible classrooms, galleries and gift shop.