This is the first states-side trip for Hasan and Yondonjamts.  “We are so thrilled to welcome international contemporary artists from Art Omi’s visual arts program into our community.  Their presence here is the result of a pilot program and may be a starting point for cultural exchange that will compliment other artist residencies taking place in the Berkshires,” says Ferrin Gallery Director Leslie Ferrin, who organized the program.  “Between the residencies through Storefront Artist Project, the Berkshire Museum, Project Art, MASS MoCA, MCLA and Bascom Lodge, these two artists will be introduced to artists and the sites where they are working.  It takes a team to pull something like this together and the Berkshires always shine when an opportunity such as this arises.”

Irfan Hasan was born in Karachi, Pakistan in 1982 and graduated from the National College of Arts, Lahore, in 2006.  He was awarded the Best Young Painter distinction in 2007 and 2008 by the Alhamra Arts Council, Pakistan. Following his 2008 residency at Studio RM in Lahore, Hasan’s first solo exhibition contained pieces that merged traditional miniature painting techniques he studied as an undergraduate with contemporary compositions and surreal imagery on a large scale.  He continues to dive into his subconscious, dreams, and surroundings as the works develop.  “The artist’s imagination is not bound by simplicity,” Hasan explains.  “It conflicts with common sense. An environment free of common sense invokes the abstract qualities of thoughts, thereby stimulating a uniquely energized dialogue. Each work is a reflection of the self in fragments, like pieces in a puzzle.”
Pittsfield’s Office of Cultural Development, lead by Megan Whilden, has generously supplied Irfan Hasan with an apartment at the Springside House in Springside Park, off Route 7 in Pittsfield, which will serve as his housing and studio space through the end of August.  He will spend this residency working on his ongoing series of contemporary paintings, which can be viewed by the public during open studio hours on Saturday afternoons between 10 and 12:30pm.  In addition, Hasan will lead a 5-week Mughal painting workshop at Storefront Artist Project, 124 Fenn Street, Tuesday and Wednesday nights from 6-8pm beginning July 27.  This free program will explore the process, aesthetics and techniques of traditional Mughal miniature portrait drawing and watercolor painting.  It is recommended that participants attend each week’s lesson to fully understand and practice this specialty art form.  For more information about Hasan’s residency, call or email Acting Director Julia Dixon at 413-442-7201 or mail@storefrontartist.org.  Workshop flyers and details can be found online at www.storefrontartist.org.

Like Hasan, Tuguldur Yondonjamts studied traditional painting techniques, both Mongolian flat painting and Thangka painting, as an undergraduate at the University of Arts and Culture Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.  He participated in graduate level studies at the University of the Arts Berlin, Germany in 2004, and will travel to London to pursue an MFA this fall.  In his current work, Yondonjamts continues to incorporate complex narrative compositions and fine artisanship that Thangka painting demands.  His paintings and drawings explore the dichotomies that often define contemporary society:  “tourism and wilderness, actions and consequences, submission and dominance, consumption and environment.”  Large in scale and stark in color, he employs shark imagery as well as Mickey Mouse and Bigfoot (or Yeti) characters to compete in invented spaces.  “My works express concrete situations including globalization and conflicts, discoveries and innovation of human history, mostly based on current events heard through Mongolian, English, German, Russian and international radio.”

Melanie Mowinski, a painter, printmaker, book artist, curator and educator, is providing Yondonjamts with housing and studio space on her property in Cheshire, MA through Sunday, August 1, after which he will continue his travels to Oregon and New York City before heading to London to complete an MFA.  Mowinski regularly participates in artist residency programs throughout the United States and abroad, including a summer 2010 residency at Bascom Lodge, the top of Mt. Greylock in Adams, MA.  Her current curatorial project is a series of exhibitions at Gallerie Haiti, a temporary gallery at 49 Main Street, North Adams, as part of DownStreet Art.  She will resume teaching as an Assistant Professor of Visual Art at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) this fall.

The Storefront Artist Project is a non-profit arts organization active since 2001.  Operating in a gallery/office space in the heart of Pittsfield, it brings art and artists to diverse members of the community by presenting innovative art exhibitions and installations, providing non-traditional, visually accessible studio space to artists and connecting artists with the public through education, opportunities and exposure.  Its programs include the Artist Residency Program, the Mentor Program, the Artist Salon and the Intern Program.  Visit www.storefrontartist.org for more information.

Tuguldur Yondonjamts Berkshire Residency, July 21 – August 1, 2010
Irfan Hasan Berkshire Residency, July 21 – August 28, 2010

Mughal Painting Workshop
Storefront Artist Project, 124 Fenn Street, Pittsfield, MA
Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting July 27, 6-8 pm
FREE and open to the public
Bring your own materials *List will be provided at sign-up

The cluster has seen several core companies depart since the mid-1990s. Now, Trumbull, who remains in the Berkshires, hopes to inspire a new wave of visual effects firms to migrate to the area. His plan to accomplish this? Produce a sci-fi film entirely in Western Massachusetts.

“I’m hearing from a lot of friends that are eager to come back and get going again,” said Trumbull, whose visual effects credits include “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”

“I would expect there could be some real growth over the next couple of years,” Trumbull said.

Along with Trumbull’s operation in Southfield, several top-tier visual effects companies still work in the Berkshires, including Sandbox F/X in Pittsfield (“Lord of the Rings,” “Chronicles of Narnia”) and Synthespian Studios in Williamstown (“X-Men,” “Fantastic Four”).

The Berkshires have long boasted a culture of creativity and arts, and visual effects professionals say they’ve found the area to be an ideal location for their work. High quality of life and proximity to cultural attractions and to nature are among the major advantages. “A lot of these big visual effects entities are in large cities with all kinds of traffic issues and big, urban environments. That’s not the case here,” said John Nugent, who founded Sandbox F/X and whose credits include the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

“You can go hike on a mountain anytime and think about how to solve a technical problem,” said Diane Pearlman, executive director of the Berkshire Film and Media Commission.

Technological advances also now make the distance from Hollywood or New York less of an issue for visual-effects companies, Trumbull said. “It’s becoming more credible to be here,” he said.

Click here to read the full story!

Click here to visit the Berkshire Film and Media Commission online!

About Open Studios

The event will be held in conjunction with the 6^th Annual Pittsfield Art Show which will take place on Saturday and Sunday July 17 and 18 from 10am-4pm under the tents at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts in downtown Pittsfield.  Galleries and artists with studios in the downtown area will stay open and welcome visitors to tour their creative spaces.

On view at the Storefront Artist Project, which will be open to the public for the Open Studios event, is the exhibition White on White, a show of white artworks in conjunction with Barrington Stage Company’s production of the play Art by Yasmina Reza. Maps of the locations will be available at the show as well as in downtown retail locations, the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts at 28 Renne Avenue, and Storefront Artist Project on Fenn Street. 

Brilliant Graphics, a sponsor of Open Studios and Galleries, has created signs that will be affixed to each participating studio building and gallery for the public to easily spot each location.

Participating artists and galleries include:

New Stage Art Gallery, Kent Mikalsen, Fern Leslie, Colleen Surprise Jones, David Ricci, Susan Hartung, Scott Taylor, Gallery 25, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Sean McCusker, Peg Dotchin, Michael Rousseau, Mario Caluori, Julio Granda, Diane Cournoyer

About Dixon

In her new role as Acting Director, Dixon will work with the Board of Directors and lead the Storefront Artist Project’s tradition of contributing to Pittsfield’s cultural and economic health. Dixon will be responsible for the growth and oversight of key program areas, including the artist residency/studio program, exhibition program, and education outreach efforts, which serve as a model of revitalization that any city can follow. She will also market and promote the Storefront Artist Project and its events.

Julia Dixon comes to the Storefront Artist Project with a diverse studio art and arts management background.  She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the State University of New York at Purchase in 2005, and received arts management certification from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts’ (MCLA) Berkshire Hills Internship Program (B-HIP) in 2009, in which she was the Program Coordinator of DownStreet Art in North Adams, MA.  Before relocating to Berkshire County she served as the Exhibition Coordinator of the Grand Banking Room galleries at ArtsWestchester (formerly the Westchester Arts Council), the largest not-for-profit arts council in New York State, located in downtown White Plains, NY.  During her tenure at ArtsWestchester she curated several large exhibitions including Hanging by a Thread and Rubbish! Art and the Ecosystem which garnered press in publications including the New York Times. She most recently served as the Gallery Manager at Ferrin Gallery in Pittsfield, MA.

Featuring internationally renowned installation artists such as Liz Nofziger and Pepón Osorio, as well as showcasing homegrown talent, DownStreet Art continues to act as a catalyst for drawing thousands of visitors to downtown North Adams.

“DownStreet Art continues to grow in size and scale, with more visual arts destinations and events this summer and fall than ever before. While global in scale, there is a wonderful sense of the small world in which we live, with many of this year’s exhibitions exploring, showcasing and dissecting the meaning of community,” said Jonathan Secor, director of special programs at MCLA.

The third annual DownStreet Art will kick off in downtown North Adams on Thursday, June 24, 6-9 p.m., with a massive block party celebrating the arts. There will be gallery exhibition openings, street musicians and specials at local businesses. The event is free and open to the public. All of the participating artists will be in attendance.

“We expect we will once again see the streets of North Adams filled in celebration of the arts. It is a great chance to meet the artists, see the art, and help kick off this celebration of the North Adams art world,” Secor said.

MCLA President Mary K. Grant said, “It’s so exciting to see how DownStreet Art has grown thanks to the many partners who continue to support this innovative initiative which fills our downtown storefronts with art exhibits and performances throughout the summer and fall. Over the past two years combined, this public art project drew approximately 35,000
people to downtown North Adams. DownStreet Art not only highlights the incredibly talented community of artists that call the Berkshires home, it serves as a draw for artists from across the globe. With more venues and artists than ever before, we expect another terrific season as local residents and visitors alike enjoy the wide variety of art to be found across the community. It’s also a great opportunity to sample local restaurants and support local businesses.”

“DownStreet Art is an extremely important initiative that perfectly blends the arts and business community,” said Brian Micsik, president of Develop North Adams. “It benefits our businesses by bringing thousands of people downtown, and benefits our entire community by providing an expanded presence for these artists and their work.”

DownStreet Art’s 34 visual arts destinations also will include Gallery Haiti, showing the work of contemporary Haitian American artists. Proceeds from the sale of this artwork will go to support the arts community in Haiti. The exhibition is curated by MCLA Professor Melanie Mowinski, as well as Art for Change in New York City and Haitian artists and performers.

“Haiti has a deep, deep cultural history – both past and present. Currently what we see on most of our TVs are the images of people
struggling just to survive, and it is important to remember them and to continue the support of those people. But we must not forget that this is a nation rich in talented artists and performers,” Secor said. “This gallery will attempt to show what is happening in their art scene. It will continue to remind people of the need in Haiti, while reminding them that there’s a vibrant arts community there.”

Local Color will focus on supporting, growing and showcasing the community that has existed in the region for decades. Area artist Wendy James will work with untrained artists in North Adams to present this exhibition of their art.

At the location once known as the “The Artery Lounge” the art exhibition named “The Artery” will transform what was once one of North Adams’ most popular watering halls into a new art work by Boston-based artist Liz Nofziger.

“The Artery was one of the last of its kind – a working class, blue-collar bar – that opened before the first shift of the area’s factories,” said Secor. “Liz Nofziger is taking the bar as it was left one year ago – with Budweiser stickers stuck on the walls and smoke stains on the ceiling. She will bring new life to the space, using its history and environment.”

In the former Gateway Motors Ford dealership on Route 2, Philadelphia-based, Puerto Rican artist Osorio will create an expansive, multi-media work that looks at the differences between the City and Williamstown. The work was commissioned by the Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA), and will move from its North Adams location to the Williams College Museum of Art in the fall.

According to Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) Director Joseph Thompson, “DownStreet Art is great for many reasons: it provides a wide range of accessible venues for the growing number of talented artists who live in our region; it creates more good reasons for visitors to check out downtown North Adams; it’s an excellent training ground for many interns; and it’s a lovely excuse for an all-city party! This year, we’re especially lucky to have the Williams College Museum of Art adding what promises to be an especially powerful installation by Pepón Osorio.”

Visitors to the MCLA Gallery 51 Annex will find an interactive installation work produced by Sadie and Ephraim Hatfield. Avalon Seafood has three exhibitions currently planned, including a look at what it means to be patriotic and a redesigning of North Adams.

“The artist has collected the city plans from the past few decades. Using these, as well as current plans, suggestions, hopes and ideas, he’ll be creating the utopian North Adams, with the visitor having an opportunity to weigh in,” said Secor.

With the opening of an exhibition featuring the work of artist Daisy Rockwell in the Galerie Inqilab at 5 Holden St., the Berkshires will have three generations of Rockwell artists on view. From June 24 to July 25, Daisy Rockwell’s work will join the work of Norman Rockwell, her grandfather, exhibited at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, as well as the work of her father, Jarvis Rockwell, whose work will be exhibited on Main Street in North Adams.

Later on this summer, Galeria Inqilab will feature the work of wood cut prints from the Asaro collective in Oaxaca Mexico, in a show titled “The Art of Dissent,” curated by MCLA Professor Ann Scott.

“DownStreet Art has become quite a phenomenon here in North Adams,” said the city’s mayor, Richard Alcombright. “It has contributed significantly to bringing the art community into the downtown, and, in doing so, fostering activity for local businesses.~Through the efforts of Jonathan Secor and many others and with the support of MCLA, DownStreet Art will grow again this year to more than 30 locations in the core of our beautiful city.~ I am truly looking forward to the opening of this wonderful collaboration and I am confident it will once again be highly successful.”

According to Anita Walker, executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), “DownStreet Art continues the North Adams tradition of innovative approaches to building community through the arts. The MCC is pleased to support DownStreet Art’s efforts to revitalize North Adams and enhance its attractiveness as a place to live, work, and visit.”

DownStreet Art Thursdays will continue on the last Thursday of every month from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. These events will feature music, performances, gallery openings and other downtown activities.

DownStreet Art is a project of MCLA’s Berkshire Culture Resource Center, partnering with the City of North Adams, Develop North Adams, Orbit Visual Graphic Design and Scarafoni Realty. The program is made possible through lead sponsorship support provided by Greylock Federal Credit Union and Greylock Investment Group. Additional support is provided by: Adams Co-Operative Bank, Berkshire Bank, the City of North Adams, Gramercy Bistro, Hoosac Bank, The Hub Food and Spirit, Doug Morin MD, Papyri Books, The Party Place, Petrino’s Café, The Porches Inn at MASS MoCA , Supreme Pizza and Wings, Taylor’s and TGL Photoworks.

The initiative was designed to revitalize downtown North Adams by identifying the City as a cultural haven. The program serves not only to increase MCLA’s visibility, but to showcase what other local arts organizations have to offer. For more information about DownStreet Art and the Berkshire Cultural Resource Center, go to [ http://www.downstreetart.org/ ]http://www.downstreetart.org www.downstreetart.org and www.mcla.edu/bcrc

Friday June 11, 2010

PITTSFIELD — Creative economy officials from across the state came together at the Colonial Theatre on Friday to praise Pittsfield’s redevelopment efforts and discuss the steps that are needed to further those improvements.

The meeting is one of four that will be held throughout the state by MassINC, a nonprofit think tank that uses non-partisan research, civic journalism and public forums to stimulate debate and shape public policy. These gatherings feature gateway cities like Pittsfield, and their efforts to improve economic opportunities.

In Pittsfield, as well as gateway cites like Lowell and New Bedford, those efforts have been centered on the change from an industrial center to one that focuses on creative and cultural endeavors on a community-wide basis. That effort is succeeding here better than some other areas, said MassINC’s executive vice president, John Schneider.

“There’s a grassroots element about it that’s become more institutionalized than in other places,” said Schneider.

Schneider pointed to the Colonial’s restoration as one of the city’s key revitalization efforts, and cited Mayor James M. Ruberto’s efforts in transforming the city’s image and economy.

“It’s not just a tired old mill town, there’s some interesting opportunities here,” said Schneider.

He said that enthusiasm needs to be tempered with a realistic approach to the work that remains.

“You’re trying to turn around decades-long decline,” said Schneider. “That’s going to take time, and some risks and some failure.”The major issues that need to be addressed to continue those efforts include increased inter-connectivity between cultural institutions and other business sectors, improved networking with the entire county and beyond, and greater education and workforce development, the attendees said.

Helena Fruscio, the director of Berkshire Creative, said continuing to inform industries outside the creative economy that they need to work together will be a major step in this area’s revitalization.

“It’s the breaking down of the silos and saying, ‘Yes, you are a part of this,’” said Fruscio.

David M. Rooney, the president of the Berkshire Economic Corp., said other improvements need to be done to draw people to the area and foster more growth.

“The more we improve the quality of life, the more opportunities you’re going to create from that,” said Rooney.

Rooney also said the region needs to leveraging the strengths that already exist here, and expanding its connections with areas that range from the Hudson Valley in New York to the Connecticut River Valley.

Click here to visit the Berkshire Eagle online and learn more about what is happening in Berkshires and beyond!

Click here to learn more about the Gateway Cities initiative.

Film & Media Arts, June 8 , 2010, 5:30-7:00 pm

Entrepreneurs & Small Business, July 13, 2010, 5:30-7:00 pm

Upstairs@Jae’s Spice,

Click here to learn more and RSVP!

Skillshare in the Foothills

Larks & Japes shares the skills of artists and arborists, makers and cocktail shakers with others in the CT, MA, NY corner with a DIY ethic. Rooted in participatory learning, their intention is that attendees have a fun, new knowledge filled day in a non-commercial environment.

Saturday, June 5th, 2010, Breakfast: 10:00 AM, Workshop: 10:30 AM- 4 PM

NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex, 75 Main Street Millerton, New York 12546

Click here to learn more and participate.

Inspiring Prevention Symposium and Longwood Symphony Concert

The Longwood Symphony Orchestra will partner with Berkshire Children and Families for a two-day collaboration beginning with a symposium on new insights to strengthen the parent/child relationship through literacy, music and the art of parenting, followed by the LSO’s Berkshire debut at Tanglewood’s Ozawa Hall under the baton of Artistic Director and Conductor Jonathan McPhee.

Inspiring Prevention Symposim:Friday, June 11th, 2010 9:00-4:00 PM

Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01210

Longwood Symphony Orchestra: Saturday, June 12th,  2010, 8:00 PM

Ozawa Hall, Tanglewood, 297 West Street, Lenox, MA

Click here for more information.

Berkshire Visitors Bureau Tourism Talkbacks

Join your colleagues for an open forum discussion on the following topics. Share your ideas and hear what others are doing to encourage collaborations and facilitate packaging.

Health & Recreation, June 23th, 2010,  3:30‐4:30pm Mt. Greylock Visitors Center, Lanesboro, MA

Meetings, July 13th, 2010, 3:30‐4:30pm, Orchards Hotel, Williamstown, MA

Culinary Experience, August 2010, 3:30‐4:30pm, Perigee Restaurant, Lee, MA

Gen X Audience, September 2010, 3:30‐4:30pm, MASS MoCA, North Adams, MA

Shopping, October 2010, 3:30‐4:30pm, Vault Gallery, Great Barrington, MA

Lodging, November 2010, TBD, Gateways Inn, Lenox, MA

Destination Weddings, December 2010, 3:30‐4:30pm, Cranwell Resort, Lenox, MA

Forums are free and open to all businesses in Berkshire County

Friday, June 11, 2010

The Colonial Theatre, Pittfield, MA

This event is co-sponsored by MassINC, the MCC, the City of Pittsfield’s Office of Cultural Development, and Berkshire Creative.

Please rsvp to jschneider@massinc.org

How arts and culture has helped the city of Pittsfield and Berkshire County build a stronger regional identity and nurture the growth of the creative economy in western Mass.

Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., with a networking lunch at noon, served on stage at the historic Colonial Theater in downtown Pittsfield.

A discussion follows from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., with tours of the city’s art and cultural offerings after that.

Over 30 LCC represenatives from the twenty plus LCC’s of Berkshire County, came out to share their work, learn more about the work of Berkshire Creative, and to meet their cultural council colleagues.

The event was kicked off by Massachusetts Cultural Council Executive Director, Anita Walker, Sen. Benjamin Downing and State Representative Smitty Pignatelli, and Berkshire Creative Director, Helena Fruscio. The speaking portion was followed by an open forum to discuss each LCC’s work, mission, and priorities.

The Massachusetts Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program supports “thousands of community-based projects in the arts, humanities, and sciences annually. It “is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation,” with a network of 329 councils, “administered by 2,400 municipally appointed volunteers,” serving “all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns.”

“Each year, local councils award more than $2 million in grants to more than 5,000 cultural programs statewide. These include school field trips, afterschool programs, concerts, festivals, lectures, theater, dance, music, and film. LCC projects take place in schools, community centers, libraries, elder care facilities, town halls, parks, and wherever communities come together.”

Click here to learn more about your Local Cultural Council!

Berkshire County leaders believe in a strong, vibrant future for the region. The boards of directors of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, Berkshire Creative Economy Council, Berkshire Economic Development Corporation, and the Berkshire Visitors Bureau announce today the creation of a formal, strategic partnership among the four organizations. This alliance, informally known as 1Berkshire, strives for intelligent, sustainable growth to create prosperity for every citizen of the Berkshires.

The project is chaired by Michael Daly, President & CEO of Berkshire Bank and Chair of 1Berkshire, together with Roger O. Goldman, managing director of the Berkshire Opportunity Fund and 1Berkshire’s volunteer Acting CEO. Daly and Goldman, are joined by steering committee volunteers, C. Jeffrey Cook, of Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook LLP, Laurie Norton Moffatt, Director/CEO of Norman Rockwell Museum and Joseph Thompson, Director/CEO of MASS MoCA.

“Forward-thinking regions across the country and internationally are now positioning themselves to be leaders in the new economy. These leading regions are already investing millions for collaborative initiatives designed to spur regional prosperity while preserving a high quality of life,” said Goldman. “We are creating a streamlined, coordinated economic development engine to provide a seamless single point of service for inquiries and opportunities related to the region.”

In addition to Daly, Goldman, Norton Moffatt, and Thompson, the interim board includes David Avery, UBS Financial Services; Mick Callahan, Callahan Sign Company; Stuart Chase, Berkshire Museum; Jeff Cook, Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook LLP; Reggie Cooper, Canyon Ranch in Lenox; Nancy Fitzpatrick, The Fitzpatrick Companies; Beth Mitchell, Petricca Industries; Stan Rosen, Hampton Terrace Bed & Breakfast; Ellen Spear, Hancock Shaker Village; Karen Zink, Berkshire Gas Company; and Michael Zivyak, Berkshire Living Magazine.

“On a larger scale, we are striving to create a unified Berkshires brand as a means to compete to the maximum effect for attraction of talent, visitation, quality of life and business opportunities,” said Daly. “Additionally, the region can foster even greater influence generated through a larger representative membership while also obtaining larger and a wider range of national, state and private funding.”

At the core of the project, Berkshire business and community leaders view this strategic partnership as the next step to build on the strong movements that began with the collaborative unified regional planning through the Berkshire Compact for Higher Education in 2005, the Berkshire Strategy Project in 2006, the launch of Berkshire Blueprint in 2007, and the formation of the Berkshire Creative Economy Council established in 2007.

Click here to hear WAMC’s coverage of 1Berkshire.

Click here to read the Berkshire Eagle’s coverage of 1Berkshire.

More about 1Berkshire….

Goals of 1Berkshire

The project has four goals:

• To create a collaborative investment in the future of the Berkshires’ economy and reach new levels of prosperity by unifying the efforts of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, Berkshire Creative, Berkshire Economic Development Corp. and the Berkshire Visitors Bureau.
• To leverage the strong momentum that started with the Berkshire Strategy Project, to the Berkshire Blueprint, the Berkshire Compact for Higher Education and Berkshire Creative Economy Project.
• To utilize the success and vision of Berkshire business leaders to design strategies to best promote the Berkshires and implement business growth initiatives.
• To create a collaborative community climate where public officials, residents and businesses work together to grow our regional economy.

A unified economic development effort will better leverage assets and increase economic prosperity by:

• Serving as a single point of service for Berkshire County.
• Generating greater “clout” for resource procurement through larger representative membership, thereby accessing more substantial and varied sources of national, state and private funding.
• Streamlining and coordinating economic development agencies and their efforts.
• Coordinating unified branding of the Berkshires to compete more effectively to increase visitation and attract new talent.
• Supporting and enhancing the efforts of the Berkshire Regional Employment Board, Berkshire Community College, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and others to ensure that a skilled and educated workforce is ready to meet the needs of existing and new businesses.
• Dovetailing with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and broad regional development efforts.
• Working to preserve the Berkshires’ assets essential for various economic clusters to survive and thrive, such as the environment, agriculture, culture, arts and industry.

Measure of Success

Success will be measured in prosperity of existing businesses, investments in new ventures, job creation, career opportunities, growth in talented and educated workforce, revenues, visitation, shoppers with greater spending power, and patrons for arts and cultural events. The adoption of sound guiding principles will lead to a shared vision for sustainable regional growth. Growth will result in jobs and a broader tax base to support improved infrastructure for our local communities.

“Our region has a unique history of innovation and has been a place of creative inspiration for centuries. The Berkshires have a unique and special quality with unparalleled assets; we have place esteem,” said Laurie Norton Moffatt, Director/CEO of the Norman Rockwell Museum and Communications Chair for 1Berkshire,  “1Berkshire provides a platform for the region to speak with one, collective voice while leveraging our natural treasures, supporting our creativity, culture and the arts, and providing revenue for local businesses all the while preserving what  is special and desirable about the Berkshires.”

Berkshires Strong History of Collaborative Regional Planning

In early February, 80 business and community leaders came together for a full-day retreat to have wide-ranging conversations about the future of the Berkshire region, identify priorities, and find ways to overcome real and perceived barriers. From that meeting, 1Berkshire was developed and is focused on uniting the four regional economic development organizations toward one vision as a place to thrive.

“Collaboration is essential to ensure a vibrant and prosperous Berkshire county,” noted State Senator Benjamin Downing. “1Berkshire recognizes that and understands that scarce public resources need to be used efficiently and effectively to create jobs and grow the Berkshire economy. I look forward to working with the partners in this effort, as I have in past, to move this region forward.”

“It is encouraging to see this collaborative effort move forward to support all the communities of the Berkshires as we work together to help bring new visitors, additional investment and expanded business to all of Berkshire County,” said Representative William “Smitty” Pignatelli.

“The Berkshires is a great place to pursue a career, start a business, spend a vacation and live a life.  I am most encouraged that these four organizations are working together cohesively and collaboratively to help generate economic growth and really leverage our great natural assets here in the Berkshires,”  said Rep. Christopher Speranzo.

“There is a groundswell of interest, a wave of energy building momentum. Through this process we have been contacted by many primary and secondary residents of our community asking how they can be involved. There is so much talent in The Berkshires. I invite anyone interested to contact me,” stated Goldman. Goldman can be contacted at 413-637-8016, or by e-mail at roger@berkshireopportunityfund.com, or contact any of the economic development agencies.

About the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce – www.berkshirechamber.com

The Berkshire Chamber, led by President and CEO Michael Supranowicz, was established to identify and serve the needs and interests of the Berkshire business community, creating an environment conducive to the growth and sustainability of business. The Berkshire Chamber is a proud recipient of a U.S. Chamber 4-Star Accreditation.

About Berkshire Creative – www.berkshirecreative.org

The mission of Berkshire Creative Economy Council, led by Director Helena Fruscio, is to stimulate new job growth and economic opportunity in the region by sparking innovative collaborations between artists, designers, cultural institutions and businesses.

About the Berkshire Economic Development Corporation – www.berkshireedc.com

The Berkshire Economic Development Corporation (BEDC), led by President David Rooney, is the leading private economic development organization providing targeted support for business relocation, expansion or new venture start-up in Berkshire County.

About the Berkshire Visitors Bureau – www.berkshires.org

The mission of the Berkshire Visitors Bureau, led by President and CEO Lauri Klefos, is to stimulate year-round interest and visitation to the Berkshires to generate overnight travel, increase attendance at regional attractions and increase patronage of area businesses for the continual economic benefit of the community.

More information about the Berkshire Blueprint, The Berkshire Strategy Project, Creative Economy Report and Berkshire Compact for Higher Education can be found at:

The Berkshire Blueprint

The Berkshire Strategy Project

The Berkshire Creative Economy Project

Berkshire Compact for Higher Education

Click here to visit our Facebook page and see more pictures! See someone you know or yourself in our facebook pictures? Don’t forget to tag, tag, tag!

SPARK! Attendees, We want your feedback!

Please take a minute to fill out this short survey about the event. Tell us what you liked, what we could do better, and most importantly let us know if you made any connections. Thank you for helping us serve the Berkshire Creative Community better!

See you at the next SPARK!

___________________________________________________________________

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

SPARK! Lead Sponsor:

Greylock Federal Credit Union

SPARK! Host:

Barrington Stage Company

SPARK! Featured Businesses:

Alchemy Initiative

Berkshire Arts Festival

David Carriere

The Colonial Theatre

Otha Day-Drum to the Beat