Archive for February, 2009

Olver Announces $1.53 Million For Berkshire County

Published: February 27, 2009Posted in: LOCAL NEWS, NATIONAL NEWS, NEWS BULLETINTags:

congress_building“The arts are a critical component of the economy, and character, of the Berkshires” – Congressman John Olver

Congressman John W. Olver (D-1st District) announced today that the fiscal year 2009 omnibus appropriations bill approved by Congress includes a little over $1.5 million in federal assistance for various projects in Berkshire County.

Projects slated to receive funding include:

$300,000 for Shakespeare and Company’s Educational Programming to Assist At-Risk Students

Shakespeare & Company has developed one of the most extensive theatre-in-education programs in the northeast, offering year-round innovative performances and workshops in and after school. This federal support will enable Shakespeare and Company to sustain and expand its full range of education programming, strengthening ties with the school and local communities and extending the reach of its highly successful education and professional development philosophy and methodology.

$285,000 for Berkshire Museum Renovations & Enhancements

This funding will be used to update, renovate, and enhance the Berkshire Museum’s 104-year old facility. This will enable the Berkshire Museum to protect and preserve its arts and artifacts valued at $200 million, better serve its visitors with upgraded and accessible amenities, and world-class exhibitions to drive visitations and increase tourism to downtown Pittsfield and Berkshire County. It will also enable the Museum to enhance its educational programming and outreach using new and exciting exhibitions that it will host or create from its own collection.

$216,160 for Berkshire Enterprise’s Entrepreneurial Training Program for Displaced Workers

Berkshire Enterprise will use these funds to provide entrepreneurial training to dislocated workers so they can start their own businesses and create jobs for themselves and others. The training involves 10 weeks of intensive classes teaching business skills, followed by 10 weeks of implementation meetings.

“In these difficult economic times, we have got to get creative.  When jobs do not exist out there, we have got to create them. Berkshire Enterprise’s program does just that,” Congressman John Olver said. “It is an impressive program with an impressive success rate – over 85 percent of business started by Berkshire Enterprise graduates are still in business after five years.”

Click here to read the full iberkshires article and see all projects slated to receive funding!

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From the Berkshire Eagle: Nancy Fitzpatrick on Berkshire Creative

Published: February 26, 2009Posted in: BERKSHIRE CREATIVE, PRESSTags: , , , , , ,

nancyfitzpatrick150When Beth Seigel of Mount Auburn Associates insisted that my family’s 50-year old retail home furnishings company, Country Curtains, was a creative economy business, I was practically speechless. Beth was interviewing me in the course of researching The Berkshire Creative Economy Report, a landmark effort launched three years ago and led by Laurie Norton Moffatt of The Norman Rockwell Museum and Ellen Spear of Hancock Shaker Village.

Years earlier, I served on Mitt Romney’s Regional Competitiveness Council and became aware that Country Curtains didn’t fit into any of the conventional industry clusters in the Berkshires. Our successful company fell through the cracks when it came to categories, even though we employed hundreds of people, and manufactured locally. Still, I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea of this creative economic cluster. I knew that creativity of the highest order has been a vital part of our economic well being since the days of Hawthorne and Melville. I also knew from personal experience at The Red Lion Inn and Porches, that aesthetics, creativity and design decisions spell success or failure for my businesses.

A few months after Mount Auburn completed the Report, I was asked to chair the Berkshire Creative Economy Council, aka Berkshire Creative. I landed at the epicenter of a dynamic yet subtle economic development initiative for our region, and began to fully understand what a vital creative economy can achieve.

Click here to read the full Op Ed!

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From the Berkshire Record: Laurie Norton Moffatt’s Predictions For the Berkshires

Published: February 25, 2009Posted in: BERKSHIRE CREATIVE, PRESSTags: , ,

a502964872_1327817_1011Predicting (and Fulfilling) the Future

Remember the Ouija board?

I’ve been thinking of Ouija lately, wishing I could bring that oracle of my youth to bear on the current economic crisis. I can recall holding my hands lightly over the heart-shaped message indicator, my eyes closed in anticipation and my disbelief suspended, if just for a moment. Silence, giggles, then all was revealed…

Today, since Ouija seems no less reliable than any other source of prognostication about our shared economic future, I think I’ll call upon the oracle once more. How will Berkshire County weather this recession? What strengths can we draw upon to help us through these tough times? What new strategies should we deploy? Ouija—Reveal your knowledge!

Back to the Berkshires is my prediction.

Ouija has spoken. What does it mean? Here’s my interpretation:

The Berkshires are the antidote to the culture of excess. Across the country, finance, real estate, food supply, energy, consumer markets, and other sectors have been rocked by a culture built on short-term profits, greed, and disregard for the long view. Berkshire County has escaped many of the worst excesses through prudent business practices. Our local banks are sound. We have a robust creative economy. We’re not immune, but we’re resilient, and our native assets are the ones most needed right now.

The manufacturing shoe has already dropped. While regions across the country shed tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs, the Berkshires have already weathered that storm. We’re retraining workers, solidifying support systems like the Berkshire Compact for Higher Education, and committing ourselves to the adaptive reuse of historic structures.

There’s no better time to invest in the Berkshire creative economy. The creative sector is diverse—the Berkshire Creative Economy Council defines it as those goods and services in which the aesthetic, intellectual, and emotional engagement of the consumer gives the product value. In the Berkshires, this sector includes non-profit cultural institutions, commercial businesses, and individual artists. The creative economy employs 10% of our workers, and drives the hospitality industry, which employs 25% more. Creative enterprises bring money into the Berkshire economy—by bringing people here and exporting our goods and services around the country and world.

We already have a strong foundation for collaboration and local economic independence. The essence of the creative economy is a diversified cross-section of businesses working together to strengthen our communities. Sole proprietorships and small businesses abound in the creative sector. These will be the catalysts for economic activity and recovery around the country—and we already have a solid base of them here. We also have BerkShares, a local currency that supports and reinforces our “buy local” micro-economy.

We have a powerful brand—let’s use it! Simplicity, authenticity, principled living, wellness, environmental stewardship, locally sourced foods, sustainable agriculture, green energy, culture, creativity, and innovation are the hallmarks of our Berkshire lifestyle. The Berkshires are a model, and a highly saleable brand.

May these prophesies be self-fulfilling. Speaking of which, this just in from Ouija—

Broadband needed for the entire Berkshires.

Laurie Norton Moffatt is the Director/CEO of the Norman Rockwell Museum and co-founder of Berkshire Creative.

Click here to visit the Berkshire Record Online!

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Schedule a One-on-One Businesses Resource Meeting!

Published: February 23, 2009Posted in: FOR PROFIT RESOURCES, RESOURCESTags: , , , , , , , , ,

picture-1-300x187NOW BEING SCHEDULED: Creative Economy business resource meetings with Pam Malumphy, Regional Director for the Massachusetts Office of Business Development and Helena Fruscio Director of Operations for Berkshire Creative!

Last October, Berkshire Creative and the Massachusetts Office Business Development (MOBD), convened a roundtable of Creative Business owners, local and state politicians, and government officals.

From those meetings it was determined that the most effective way to connect local creative economy business owners to available state and local resources was to bring the information directly to them.

Bershire Creative and the MOBD want to talk to you about your concerns, possible areas of growth and resources available to you and your business. In this interest Berkshire Creative and the MOBD will be conducting free, one-on-one meetings throughout the county.

Please contact Pam Malumphy to reserve a time slot at pam.malumphy@state.ma.us or 413.499.0037.

One-hour time slots available on a first come first serve basis on:

Central Berkshire County, Thursday, March 12
Northern Berkshire County, Tuesday, March 24
Southern Berkshire County, Wednesday, April 1

Please note: One-on-One meetings will be continuing throughout the spring. If you are unable to participate on these dates, we will be happy to work with you to schedule an alternate time.

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New Funds Aid in Realization of Berkshire Creative’s Mission

Published: February 23, 2009Posted in: BERKSHIRE CREATIVE, PRESSTags:

be-creative-logo-outBerkshire Creative Economy Council (Berkshire Creative) has successfully raised $100,000 to match the Massachusetts Cultural Council grant received during the summer of 2007.

This grant was awarded to Berkshire Creative in support of its mission to stimulate new job growth and economic opportunity in the Berkshires through the growth of the county’s Creative Sector. The matching funds insure the continuation of Berkshire Creative’s activities though 2009.

The grassroots fundraising campaign yielded over 150 individual donations ranging from $25 to $20,000. Key to the success of the campaign was the “Friend Drive” which offered a way for participants at all income levels to tangibly engage with the mission and activities.

n1389574627_6769Nancy Fitzpatrick, Chair of the Berkshire Creative Board of Directors states, “It was our main focus in this campaign to reach the wide ranging constituency of the Berkshire Creative Economy and not just the usual suspects. As our work benefits the various parties of the creative sector we strived to offer a variety of donation opportunities.”

Creative economy businesses, organizations and individuals not only provided monetary donations, but generous in-kind donations of goods and services. In-kind donations, paramount to the continuation of creative industry support projects accounted for 20% of the $100,000 match.

With the initial Massachusetts Cultural Council funds, Berkshire Creative developed and implemented a strategic set of projects and initiatives to support and grow the Creative Industries of the Berkshires. The matching funds raised by Berkshire Creative insure the continuation of these projects including the following:

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Creative Economy Career Opportunities

Published: February 23, 2009Posted in: ARCHIVES, JOB ARCHIVETags:

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Check out these career opportunities in the Berkshire Creative Economy!

Barber or Hair Stylist, Classix Tyler

Campaign Manager, Berkshire Municipal Campaign

Customer Service Representative, Waterfront Media

Director Of Music, First Church Of Christ

Director of Networks and Systems Office for Information Technology, Williams College

Fellowship for Diversity in the Arts, Williams College

Membership & Fundraising Manger, Berkshire Botanical Garden

Sustainable Food Project Manager, Williams College

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CREATIVE EVENTS

Published: February 23, 2009Posted in: FEATURES 2, INITIATIVESTags: , , , , ,
CREATIVE EVENTS

spark logo FINSPARK! NETWORKING EVENTS

Berkshire Creative’s signature networking event bringing people from all sectors of the Berkshire economy together to spark innovative ideas and collaborations.

Click here to see posts and pictures from past SPARK! events!

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becreativeconferencBC NodateBECREATIVE BARCAMPS

An event model adapted from the technology world, in which the barrier between audience and presenter is reduced and participants share through informal brief presentations the projects, ideas and innovations for which they are passionate.

Click here to see posts and pictures from past BarCamps!

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SPARKETTES

Mini-SPARK! networking event for industry clusters within the creative economy.

FEB: Visual Media, MAR: Culture/Heritage, APR: Visual Arts, MAY: Communications, JUNE: Film /Media, JULY: Entrepreneurs, AUG: Young Professionals, SEPT: Education, OCT: Music/Performing Arts, NOV: Housing Support

Click here for more information!

SPARK! Featured Businesses

Published: February 19, 2009Posted in: BERKSHIRE CREATIVE, EVENTSTags: , , ,

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At each SPARK! Berkshire Creative features businesses from the Berkshire Creative Economy.

Here is a sneak peek of the businesses that will be at SPARK! Friday, February 27 at the ‘62 Center for Theatre and Dance at Williams College!

Please RSVP by NOON on Tuesday, February 24th to info@berkshirecreative.org or call 413.822.8324.

Click here for more information on SPARK!

Special Thanks SPARK! Hosts Stalwart Originality, MCLA Presents!, Mass MoCA, and the ‘62 Center!

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image001-29Berkshire Entrepreneurs Network

Berkshire Entrepreneurs Network (BEN) is a collegial, business-to-business membership organization dedicated to promoting and fostering a vibrant small business environment in the Berkshires. We are a source of business intelligence in the Berkshires and provide professional development opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Click here to learn more about the Berkshire Entrepreneurs Network!

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picture-3-300x1171Berkshire Festival of Women in the Arts

The First Annual Berkshire Festival of Women in the Arts boasts more than 60 events—film, exhibits, music, performance, talks and more—at venues throughout the Berkshires. Presented by The Women’s Times, the month-long festival will be held in March 2009.

Click here to learn more about the Berkshire Festival of Women in the Arts!

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berkshiremade_logoBerkshire Made

BerkshireMade is a cooperative effort by a select group of Berkshire artisans to promote their high quality, locally made creative work. BerkshireMade artisans have established individual reputations for excellence in their mediums of jewelry, woodworking, ceramics, glass, fabric, paper, metal and fine arts. Our goal is to promote a shift in the shopping paradigm, so Berkshire consumers seek to purchase local goods created by local artisans, here in the Berkshires or on the Internet.

Click here to learn more about Berkshire Made!

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Blueline Design

Blueline Design Inc. is an architectural firm providing a full scope of services for residential and commercial projects, while also including landscape and interior design as part of its core discipline. Our primary focus is the adaptive reuse of existing structures.

Click here to learn more about Blueline Design!

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New Amsterdam Apartments

Forty-Three affordable live/work units located in a European-style village setting are almost ready for rental. This complex was built with the creative class in mind, with the colorful exteriors and large bright inside spaces designed by local Designer Bill Calligari and Developer Beth Pearson. The complex is zoned specifically to be live/work spaces for creative endeavors and most importantly they are affordable from $650 to $850 per month.

Click here for information on the New Amsterdam Apartments!

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picture-11The Norman Rockwell Museum

Founded in 1969, Norman Rockwell Museum has grown from a small house museum to a leading national and international destination and an anchor of the Berkshires’ creative economy. This year, the Norman Rockwell Museum celebrates their 40th anniversary as the nation’s preeminent museum of American illustration art, with Rockwell’s collections and guiding spirit at the core. The new Rockwell Center for American Visual Studies is the nation’s first institute devoted to the art of illustration. This summer, the Norman Rockwell Museum will present their 100th exhibition and welcome their five millionth visitor to their Stockbridge campus. Come celebrate with us!

Click here to read the recent New York Times Norman Rockwell Museum article!

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A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR LEAD SPARK! SPONSORS:

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SPARK your advertising campaign with creative help from Greylock Marketing Group, a subsidiary of Greylock Federal Credit Union, call 412-236-4129.


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Click to learn more!

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FOOD PROVIDED BY MEZZE CATERING

logoCo-owned by Nancy Thomas and Bo Peabody, Mezze Restaurant Group is committed to the ‘buy local’ mission providing a wide range of fresh, seasonal foods from neighboring family farms, celebrating the bounty of the Berkshires. From one-of-a-kind weddings and museum galas to dinner parties and cocktail receptions, Mezze Catering works with the finest, most reliable vendors in the industry and provides exceptional event planning and design, and flawless execution

For more info, visit www.mezzecatering.com or call 413.458.8745.

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IS183 ART AUCTION TO HIGHLIGHT BERKSHIRE BASED ARTISTS

Published: February 19, 2009Posted in: ARCHIVES, HAPPENINGS ARCHIVETags:

HairBall_poster_6_3_no_sponsorsThursday, February 26, IS183 will hold their annual Fine Art Auction Preview as a tease for the March 14th “mane event”; IS183’s Hair Ball!

The free preview features works donated by a wide swath of prominent local artists including Yura Adams, Karen Arp-Sandel, Michael Boroniec, Leslee Carsewell, Meryl Joseph, Jennifer Kimball, Kit Latham, Melissa Lillie, Vaal London-Kane, Linda Novick, Benjamin Tritt, Will Wendt, and Brent Whitney.

Many of these contributing artists play a dual role in the Berkshire Creative Economy; leading full careers  in addition to their artistic careers. The Fine Art Auction Preview is an opportunity to view the richness and diversity of the Berkshire artistic scene and support IS183’s important role as the “Art School of the Berkshires.”

National Reputation, Berkshire Based: Walton Ford

In addition to the Fine Art Auction Preview, study for False Face (1991) by Berkshire based, nationally acclaimed artist Walton Ford,  will be raffled off in a  ninety nine ticket limited raffle. Click here to watch a video autobiography shot by Walton Ford in his Berkshire studio!

IS183 Hairball Fine Art Auction Preview

Thursday, Febraury 26th, 2009, 6:00 PM-8:00 PM

Mission Bar+ Tappas, 438 North Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201

Click here to learn more about IS183 and the Hairball!

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Artist’s Work Space for Sale

Published: February 17, 2009Posted in: OPPORTUNITES ARCHIVESTags:

howard-loft-spacespreview2 Stunning, 5000 sq. foot lofts for sale

Raw space, fully sprinkled, all maple flooring,new elevator. Double storm windows, great views. Walk to all cultural activities. One block from North St. 18 foot ceilings. Build your dream space.

Mixed use commercial/retail space

Ground floor retail and 2nd floor office or artist work space. Spaces available from as little as 400sq. ft. up to 8,000 sq. ft. Great location for mixed uses – production company, studio space, film or photography sets, Low rents – from $5/sq. ft. raw and triple net – to $12/sq. ft. finished and all inclusive. Flexible landlords – we’ll work with you to create the space you need for the price that works for you. New York State funding a possibility for businesses that bring jobs. If interested, call Lori Bashour 413-429-6634 or email at lorijo1@aol.com.

Just a few hundred feet from busy Route 7 in Great Barrington, this garage is commercially zoned and ready for an easy conversion.

Add a dormer for two floors of usable space. Radiant heat on the first floor. Access to town water and town sewer. Plenty of light. A great space for an artist or custom work (wood-worker, upholsterer). $199,500

Contact Tom Lynch at Berkshire Property Agents, (413) 528-6800 or Home Office: (518) 325-0220.

Visit Artist Link for more information about connecting artist’s work spaces!

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