Montana PBS is embarking on a $31.5M expansion of its MSU station, set to house new production spaces and a classroom studio. The project, funded by private donations, aims to enhance collaboration among students and staff. Construction is expected to start soon, bringing the state-of-the-art facility to life.
Montana State University rendering
A rendering depicts the future expansion of the MSU Visual Communications Building.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 29, 2025, for the $31.5 million expansion of the Montana PBS station on the Montana State University (MSU) campus in Bozeman, kbzk.com reported.
"It's a little hard for me to believe that it's actually here," said Aaron Pruitt, the director and general manager of Montana PBS. "I entered the building in 1984 as a freshman photography student. But little did I know that this fledgling TV station, and an adviser named Jack Hyyppa, would change the course of my life."
Founded in 1984, KUSM-TV at MSU partnered with the University of Montana's KUFM-TV in 1997 to become Montana PBS. The statewide network now broadcasts five channels with more than 275,000 Montanans viewing each week, according to MSU.
After 40 years, the station is expanding for the first time, kbzk.com reported.
"To date, we have raised $31.5 million of private donations to help make the addition possible," Pruitt said.
That money is coming from more than 600 private donors across Montana, according to kbzk.com.
Langlas & Associates serves as the project contractor, with SMA Architecture and Design handling the design services, according to bozemandailychronicle.com.
"We plan to add 32,000 square feet," Pruitt said. "And it will include a large classroom space, which is also a studio, as well as control rooms and offices to bring our entire Montana PBS staff back together for the first time in more than a decade."
The renovation will include a shared lobby connecting MSU's School of Film and Photography and the offices of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, KGLT Radio and Montana PBS, an area intended to encourage student collaboration across artistic disciplines, according to MSU.
In addition, new production spaces will increase Montana PBS's capabilities. The expansion will include a large TV studio, production control rooms, a green screen studio, video editing suites and other broadcast technology.
The building will be home to the new Joseph S. Sample classroom and studio, which will serve as a screening venue, lecture hall, event center and production studio, according to MSU. Its versatility and large capacity of 192 seats will allow it to host large enrollment MSU core classes (including SFP's FILM 101), live audience televised productions and university events.
KGLT radio, which is in the university's Student Union Building, also will relocate to the new building, kbzk.com reported,
Montana PBS shares the space with the MSU School of Film and Photography, leading to some impacts.
"So, it will, for the next couple years, present some challenges. At the same time, I appreciate the enthusiasm from all those partners for what our dream is, for what the student experience will be, when we open our doors," Pruitt said.
This project has been in the works since 2018, according to kbzk.com.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Waded Cruzado took the stage, breaking ground for the last time as MSU president.
Construction will start toward summer's end, with completion expected, kbzk.com reported.
"Talking about our past, but talking about our future in this new home, it is a big deal to me," Pruitt said. "It means a lot."
Today's top stories
