JULY

PERCEPTIONS CONTEMPORARY DANCE FESTIVAL: Call to Choreographers & Dance Companies

AUGUST

THE AMY CLAMPITT RESIDENCY PROGRAM: Residency for Poets/Literary Scholars

Deadline: August 1, 2010

The Residency award consists of the use of the Amy Clampitt House free and clear for a six month
or twelve month period beginning on February 1, 2011 and ending on January 27th, 2012.

ARTIST’S RESOURCE TRUST (A.R.T) FUND: Call for Grant Applications (Individuals)

Deadline: August 1, 2010

Grants awarded to professional New England visual artists in painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography or mixed media who have a financial need. Awards range from $1,500 to $10,000 and may be applied toward any expense that may enhance the artist’s ability to create his/her work.

ARTIST’S RESOURCE TRUST (A.R.T) FUND: Call for Grant Applications (Organizations)

Deadline: August 1, 2010

1:1 Matching grants ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 for Nonprofit organizations that wish to commission new
work or purchase existing works by mature, mid-career artists living in New England.

MINERVA ARTS CENTER: Open Auditions

Audition Dates: August 3 & 4, 11:30AM to 2 PM and 6 to 10PM at 1288 Massachusetts Avenue in North Adams, MA

The Minerva Arts Center announces auditions for ALIZA, a musical theatre piece written by and starring Los Angeles-based artist Ali Mandelbaum. All who audition are expected to prepare a solo to sing and a short dramatic monologue, in addition to performing cold readings from the script. Rehearsals for the show will take place on weekday evenings, with performance dates scheduled for September 2^nd through 5^th. This process-oriented production of ALIZA will be directed by Minerva Artistic Director Kathleen O’Mara, musically directed by New York-based Charles Sanchez, and will be one of the first shows to run in the newly opened Minerva Arts Center.  For questions or concerns, please contact Eric K. Auld at (518) 610-2574 or erickauld@gmail.com.

THE JOHN D. MINECK FOUNDATION: Call to Furniture Artists

Deadline: August 9, 2010

A $25,000 Fellowship to support a furniture artist looking to fulfill an apprenticeship, develop their own skills, and/or make the transition to independence. The fellowship, awarded annually to one artist, is administered by The Society of Arts and Crafts.

METRO-NORTH RAILROAD TARRYTOWN STATION: Call for Artists

Postmark Deadline: August 13, 2010.

MTA Arts for Transit seeks professional artists for consideration to create public artwork for the Metro-North Railroad Tarrytown Station on the Hudson Line in Westchester County.

PAPER TRAIL-HERITAGE OF PAPERMAKING: Artist Call for Entry

Deadline: August 16, 2010

The Paper Trail interprets and shares the history of paper making in The New England Housatonic Heritage Area, while also celebrating, highlighting and facilitating contemporary paper making endeavors here, both artistic and industrial applications. The selected pieces will be shown in the month of September at the Lichenstein Arts Center in Pittsfield, Ma. This will coincide with an exhibition at the Berkshire Museum featuring old equipment, photographs, and other odds and ends from the Paper Making Industry, which fueled the areas economy in the early 1800’s. Innovative works crafted of paper or works that identify with the history of paper making and the contemporary use of paper will be considered.

LILLIAN ORLOWSKY/WILLIAM FREED FOUNDATION GRANTS: Call for Applications

Deadline: August 16, 2010

Grants will be offered to American painters aged 45 or older who demonstrate financial need. The primary emphasis is to promote public awareness and a commitment to American art, as well as encouraging interest in artists who lack adequate recognition.

NEW YORK STATE WRITERS INSTITUTE: Poetry Workshop with Fellow Rebecca Wolff

Deadline: August 25, 2010

New York State Writers Institute Writing Fellow Rebecca Wolff, editor of FENCE magazine, will conduct an intermediate to advanced poetry workshop during the Fall 2010 semester. September 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18, November 1, 8, 15, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., University at Albany’s uptown campus.The workshop is limited to ten writers. Admission is based on the submission of writing samples. 

WAM THEATRE: Open Auditions for “Melahcholy Play”

Audition Dates: August 22, 2010, Capital District (location TBA) and  August, 23, 2010, NEW STAGE Performing Arts Center, Pittsfield, MA

WAM Theatre is looking for non-equity actors who are comfortable with heightened language and lyric poetry, music, physical theatre, improvisation, ensemble work, singing and dancing. A stipend will be paid. To audition, email your resume, the character you would like to audition for and the date you would like to audition to director, Kristen van Ginhoven, at kristen@wamtheatre.com.

NEW AMERICAN PAINTINGS: Call for Submission

Deadline: August 31, 2010

New American Paintings is a juried exhibition-in-print. Each printed edition results from a highly competitive juried competition and presents the work of 40 painters. From post-modern pastiche to the landscape, recognized artists to recent M.F.A. graduates, New American Paintings does not discriminate against style or yield to art world trends.

NORTH ADAMS OPEN STUDIOS: Call for Participants

Deadline: August 31, 2010; $35 if you register and pay by June 30; $45 after June 30.

North Adams Open Studios is looking for artists – with and without studios – to participate in its sixth annual autumn showcase of local artisans to be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 15 and 16, from 10 to 6.

SEPTEMBER

THE BAMBI FOUNDATION: Call for Multimedia Artists

Deadline: September 1, 2010

Call for applications from multimedia artists with a focus on experimental cinema and projection installations. The Bambi Foundation supports contemporary non-object art projects, with an emphasis on experimental cinema and projected image installations. The foundation accepts proposals from a wide range of artists, disciplines and medium, and focuses on works that cannot be easily accommodated by market-based art scenes. It offers up to 8,000 euros (approximately $9,750) per project and even more, depending on the project requirements. Email contact@bambifoundation.com.

STEAMPUNK FORM & FUNCTION DESIGN COMPETITION: Call for Submissions

Deadline: September 5, 2010

Steampunk Form & Function Design Competition brings together outstanding Steampunk design innovations, details the design process and promotes the role of the Steampunk designer/craftsman. Along with recycled items, all Steampunk design solutions are primarily built using authentic Victorian (1850s to early 1900s) objects, salvage items, clothing and antiques that incorporate modern technology and have specific functions for modern day, practical uses.

CRAFTBOSTON: Call for Applications

Deadline: September 14, 2010

Spring & Holiday 2011 are now accepting applications via www.juriedartservices.com. CraftBoston is a leading show and exhibition of fine contemporary craft in New England.

OCTOBER

CULTURE*PARK: Call for Short Plays

Deadline: October 1, 2010

Culture*Park announces a call for entries for the 9th Annual Short Plays Marathon, scheduled for Saturday, November 20, 2010, in downtown New Bedford, MA. Plays should be 15 pages/minutes or fewer in length. One play submission per playwright is accepted. Contact culturepark@earthlink.net, or call 774-202-0588.

ROLLING

BERKSHIRE ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOL: Call  for Teaching Artists

Deadline: Rolling

Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School’s Artist Residency Program provides BArT students with a unique learning opportunity to work directly with professional artists in trimester-long classes, day to week-long workshops, and the after-school program. Teaching artists who have worked in the program represent a wide-range of media and artistic styles, while sharing one common
passion—engaging young people in the arts. BArT is currently looking for area
artists who are interested in participating as teaching artists in the school’s residency program. Artists working in all media are invited to send a resume and work samples (or a link to a web-site) to brian.ogrady@bartcharter.org.

PITTSFIELD COLONIALS BASEBALL TEAM: Call for Performers-Music, Dance, Theatre, Street
The Pittsfield Colonial’s Baseball Team SunBreak Show happens during evening baseball game between 7:30-8pm approx. Performers are needed for the following dates-June-11,12,18,19,21,22,23; July-3,4,5,6,22,23,24,26,27,28; Aug.3,4,5,9,10,11,12,13,14,23,24,25; Sept.-3,4.6. To apply, email Joanne Deutch at jdeutch06@gmail.com or call 413-637-1515.

SODUS ART BANCK: Residency and Workshop Applications

Deadline: One month before session

Painters, sculptors, mixed-media artists, explorers in expressive visual art, and/or collaborative artists may now apply for 1 week workshops or 3-4 week residency sessions, which provide unique artists with creative environment, professional critiques, artist presentations, accommodations, foundry, and studio space to focus on their work.

HILLTOWN FAMILIES: Call for Submissions, Writing and Photography

Deadline: Rolling

Hilltown Families welcomes writings that reflect the positive work and educational efforts activists, families, teachers, and artists work towards and accomplish and how that affects, supports and empowers our families.

INDEARTS: Call for Submissions, Writing

Deadline: Rolling

Great Opportunity for a Mime or a Dancer Extraordinaire for a solo full length performance piece with text in French & English. For details please email indearts@aol.com

InDeArts…announces a call for poets worldwide to submit up to three of their unpublished pieces that are three lines in length to be considered for publication.

Now accepting listings from arts oriented organizations,  businesses in the arts, individuals and others in the arts for its online publication, as well as reviews of arts events and commentaries on the arts. For consideration, please send your information in the body of an email to: indearts@aol.com.

PITTSFIELD FARMERS MARKET: Call for Artisans and Crafters

Deadline: Rolling

Opportunity for farmers, culinary artisans, and hand crafters to participcate in the Pittsfield Farmers Market.

WILLIAMSTOWN SUNDAYS @ 6: Call for Artisans and Crafters

Deadline: Rolling

Call for artistans and crafters to participate in the  monthly downtown Williamstown community event.

Find other creative opportunities and grants at Massachusetts Cultural Council, Berkshire Art Start, Artsake and New York Foundation for the Arts.

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Volunteers are needed as event staff and parking attendants and are asked to work 8 hours over the course of the three day festival (one 8 hour or two 4 hour shifts) in exchange for:

• Free access to festival when they are not volunteering
• free parking within walking distance (carpooling is strongly encouraged)
• MASS MoCA event staff tee-shirt.

Interested parties should visit MASS MOCA’s website or email vounteermassmoca@gmail.com for more information.

Americans for the Arts’ national Arts Advocacy Day is the centerpiece of their legislative efforts in Washington, DC. But this summer, they’re urging arts advocates to use their respective arts institutions to convey their message about the arts in a setting that reinforces themes of economic development; jobs in the arts; arts education; and partnerships between artists, institutions, and local policymakers.

Starting on Saturday, July 31 and continuing until Saturday, September 18, Americans for the Arts Action Fund will coordinate a “50 States 50 Days” initiative that supports local advocacy activities in all 50 states and in as many congressional districts as possible.

Sign up now for a free 50 States 50 Days webinar on Thursday, July 8 at 3:00 p.m. (EST) to learn more about details, logistics, and tools you should know when hosting an event in your community that includes your members of Congress. Note: If you are attending the Americans for the Arts Half-Century Summit in Baltimore, stop by the 50 States 50 Days initiative launch on Saturday, June 26, 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.

On the webinar, Americans for the Arts Action Fund staff will walk participants through the easy steps to producing an event and using the 50 States 50 Days website to help you spread the word to your community, manage your event, and download materials you can use to advocate for the arts and arts education. This is an important opportunity for you to engage congressional district staff and reinforce your role as a ready resource for members of Congress, their staff, and constituents.

Two national funders are now offering opportunities for arts and cultural organizations to access capital grants. One is for pre-development phases of construction, and the other is for renovation costs and capital reserves. Please be aware that both funders are requesting pre-application letters of intent be sent in May.

Kresge Foundation Institutional Capitalization Program- Deadline for pre-application emails: Monday, May 17, 2010.

Funding support for cultural facility investments and building reserves funds, with a focus on renovation and repair projects.

Click here to learn more.

Ford Foundation Space for Change-Deadline for Letter of Intent: May 28, 2010.

Support for critical planning and pre-development activities that may precede partnering in or leading a facility project.

Click here to learn more.

ArtistLink helps to create artist workspace and housing by providing technical assistance and marketing support to Massachusetts artists, developers, and municipalities.

Berkshire Creative and Cultural Pittsfield invite you to join in a community discussion to asssess the interest, needs, and resources for co-working in Berkshire County:

May 27th, 2010

5:30-7:00pm

Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Pittsfield, MA (Map)

Click here to RSVP!

Click here to see cool spaces from around the world!

Click here for lots more information on coworking!

At the meeting, Scott Tillitt of BEAHIVE in Beacon, NY, will speak about the BEAHIVE co-working space and set the stage for an open, group discussion  of co-working in the Berkshires.

The purpose of the meeting is to see where you, our creative community stands: Do you want space? For what purpose? Who is already offering space? Who wants to offer space in the future?

Let us know where you stand-take the Co-working Survey now!

Before the meeting, we want to “take the temperature” of the community. Please fill out the survey to let us know where you stand.  (Click Here). The results from this survey and the feedback from the meeting will inform our next steps.

Questions?

Please contact Helena Fruscio, Director of Berkshire Creative, if you have any questions or comments: info@berkshirecreative.org or 413.822.8324, or Megan Whilden, Director of Cultural Development, Pittsfield, mwhilden@pittsfieldch.com or 413.499.9348.

Barrington Stage Company Professional Internship Program (PIP)

The Professional Internship Program (PIP) is an intensive summer internship program offered to college age students interested in pursuing careers in theatre. Participants are chosen through a competitive application process to train and gain professional experience in various facets of Professional Equity Theatre. Click here to learn more and apply!

Berkshire Museum

Deadline: Rolling

The Berkshire Museum has a diverse art, history and natural science collection of approximately 30,000 objects. Currently the museum is seeking Programming and Special Events Interns, Marketing/ Graphic Design Interns, and Summer Camp Interns. Click here to learn more and apply!

Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival

Deadlines: Summer Priority Deadline has passed. Regular Deadline is March 1, 2010 after March 1, call 413-243-9919 x17 to inquire if openings are available. Off-season deadline: Rolling

Summer Internships are comprised of real-work projects and responsibilities that develop professional skills and careers. Interns receive staff-led seminars, training and mentoring, on-campus housing, 3 meals a day, $500 stipend, and a $150 travel/sundry expense allowance. College credit, work-study, independent study, and/or cooperative learning programs may be available through your school. Or you may register for college credit at Jacob’s Pillow, through their partnership with the Division of Continuing Education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Off-season interns assist in the preparation for Jacob’s Pillow upcoming season. Off-season interns gain a broad perspective on arts administration, the dance field, and dance history while receiving on-the-job training, and experience working alongside professional staff both independently and collaboratively. Onsite housing can be arranged and is shared with other Pillow interns, as well as with artists-in-residence. Full and part-time internships for the fall, winter, and spring can be tailored to meet college credit needs and individual interests. Dates and times are flexible. Click here to learn more and apply!

IS183 Art School of the Berkshires:  Young Artists Program Intern

IS183 is seeking interns with an interest in the visual arts and/or education, combined with interest and enjoyment of children and young teens for their 2010 IS183 Summer Young Artist Program. The program will run from June 28 to August 20, 2010, and candidates may apply for a 2- to 8-week internship commitment. Hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday thru Friday.

Candidates should be pursuing art as a major or supplementary course of study, and able to demonstrate some experience working with children. Interns receive a stipend of $100/week for their work as well as the opportunity to audit one evening or week-end adult class during the summer. In addition, you may be able to receive academic credit from your college or university. IS183 will also provide references for your future employment/academic pursuits upon request, dependent on performance. Click here to learn more and apply!

Richmond [Berkshire Co.] Historical Commission

Richmond [Berkshire Co.] Historical Commission requires interns to assist in completing its community historical resources inventory. The internship will run from June 15 to August 31. The inventory is a state-mandated project that will be submitted to the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

Local History Researchers (2)
The interns will research and write historical narratives discussing the history of community buildings including their associations with local (or state) history as well as uses, and the role(s) the owners/occupants in the community. Full or part time researchers will be considered. Housing may be available at no cost to an intern.

Architectural History Researcher (2)
The interns shall have the responsibilities of describing buildings, structures, objects, areas, burial grounds, landscape features, and sites that are of historical, architectural, or archaeological importance. Most research will be concerned with buildings. The internship offers the opportunity to learn a marketable skill in the historic preservation field. Full or part time researchers will be considered. Housing may be available at no cost to an intern.

Click here to learn more!

Shakespeare & Company Internships in Carpentry, Props, Paint, Sound, Electrics, Costumes, and Stage Management

Interns sought for an Equity L.O.A. 14 show, 3 stage season at Shakespeare & Company. This opportunity is for individuals early in their career to develop skills and work with theatre professionals. Duties will include show running and/or change-over responsibilities. Season runs from early May through March 2011, although most positions for summer only. Late season and early start contracts may include theatre-in-education support. Housing negotiable. Stipend available.Click here to learn more and apply!

Does your organization or business offer creative economy internship opportunities? Email them to info@berkshirecreative.org!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

BerkshireMade has votes to open membership; no limit on the number of members or number of members in any medium. This means:

• Any crafter/artist/artisan/maker living in Berkshire County, MA is welcome to apply! You will find the application here.
• The application process is still juried!

Questions? Interested in learning more?

• Visit BerkshireMade.org!
• Feel free to come to one of our monthly member round table meetings.  Current members are available to answer any questions and are always happy to share!
• Email any questions to info@berkshiremade.org