A total of 48 local creatives submitted applications to be a part of the Crane & Co. Challenge. Of these applicants, 5 were added directly to Crane’s resource database as specialists in areas such as paper marbling and copy writing, and 13 applicants were invited to participate in the full Creative Challenge.

On May 7, 2010, the thirteen selected participants toured Crane’s facilities in both Dalton and North Adams, and the Crane Museum to learn more about the company’s unique creative needs and production capabilities. (Click here to see pictures!)

“Crane & Co. really pulled out all the stops for the challenge participants”, said Helena Fruscio director of Berkshire Creative.  “The participants saw every aspect of the product and production and got the real insiders tour of why Crane & Co. are leaders in their field. It was a great opportunity for all involved.”

Twelve of the 13 participants later submitted designs for review, and John Neiner of Pixel Graphic Design Studio of Pittsfield, was selected as the Creative Challenge winner.

“John stood out to everyone on the review committee.  His work was impressive, organized, and imaginative,” said Megan Kuntze, Crane & Co.’s Brand Director, “We are looking forward to working with John on future creative assignments.”

As the winner, Neiner now has the opportunity to produce a stationery collection for Crane & Co. In addition to the winner, six other designers were identified as potential resources for future freelance projects: Amanda Bettis, Robin Brickman, Meg Buratto, Rebecca Schreiber, Julie Hammill, and Margaret Lundin.

“We are so elated that the Crane & Co. Berkshire Creative Challenge was such a resounding success,” says Fruscio. “This is only our second Creative Challenge, but we have already clearly demonstrated that if you are a manufacturer looking for a top-notch designer or a designer looking for a contract with a world-class company, you can find it here in the Berkshires, where creativity lives!”

About John Neiner
John Neiner is a graphic designer and illustrator working at Pixel Graphic Design Studio in Pittsfield, MA. Founded in 2005 by John’s brother, the studio has been an outlet for their creative skills and imagination. Over the past few years John has transitioned from his background in traditional media into the realm of digital-art through the use of his favorite piece of equipment: a Wacom Intuos3 graphics tablet. John resides in the Berkshires with his wife Erin and their 3 energetic boys. In addition to art, John also enjoys rock climbing, ventriloquism and a slew of other eclectic pastimes.

About the Creative Challenge
In fall 2009 Berkshire Creative launched a new initiative to connect Berkshire manufacturers and businesses with local designers, engineers and creative workers: the Creative Challenge.

A Creative Challenge is structured as follows: Berkshire Creative partners with a business to define the nature, format and criteria of the Challenge. The community is then invited to submit resumes and information on how their work and relates to the host company. From these applications, participants are selected to participate in a site visit of the Creative Challenge host business and then to submit a solution to the Creative Challenge.

Click here see results of previous Creative Challenges!

Companies interested in hosting a Creative Challenge should contact Helena Fruscio, Director of Berkshire Creative by phone or 413.822.8324 or email at helena.fruscio@berkshirecreative.org.

“Massachusetts based chef, author, and teacher Amy Cotler is a champion of local food and healthy school meals, and has provided a recipe for strawberry yogurt soup which takes advantage of the tastiest seasonal and local ingredients.   I used local honey, yogurt, and strawberries to prepare this recipe…”

Click here to read more!

JUNE

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.

BERKSHIRE ARTS FESTIVAL: Call for Berkshire Artists

Deadline: June 10, 2010

Richard Rothbard the founder of the 9th Berkshires Arts Festival is opening the lower lodge this July 4th weekend for the first Insiders Art Fair Gallery Show. The lower lodge will be transformed into a white walled gallery  that will feature only artists residing in the berkshires. This will be the 9th year for the artist festival which is held at Ski Butternut and features 165 juried artists from across the country. Attendance is around 8,000 for the three day show.

FOX FOUNDATION RESIDENT ACTOR FELLOWSHIP: Call for Applications

Deadline: June 11, 2010.

The Fox Foundation seeks to transform and deepen the relationship between an actor and a nonprofit theater. The fellowship selects one actor (and his/her affiliated nonprofit theater) in two categories: one for early- or mid-career actors (the Extraordinary Potential category) and one for actors with considerable experience (the Distinguished Achievement category). The selected actors will receive money based on their category and their affiliated TCG member host theater will receive $7,500.

CALDERA ARTIST RESIDENCY OPPORTUNITIES: Call for Applications

Deadline: June 15, 2010.

Caldera in Portland, OR, is offering residences of two to four weeks to playwrights, actors, and directors, as well as all other types of writers and performers during December 2010–March 2011.

METRO ARTS IN TRANSIT: REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS: Call for Artists

Deadline: June 18, 2010.

Metro Arts in Transit (AIT) in St. Louis, MO, is currently seeking qualifications from artists for a number of new public art projects. Metro has received approximately $45 million in federal stimulus funding, known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. As a result, and in line with Metro policy, one percent (or $450,000) was dedicated to AIT for public art. AIT will commission seven new public artworks for seven stations that were constructed during the first phase of MetroLink.

CREATIVE CAPITAL WORKSHOP SUBSIDY GRANTS: Call for Applications

Application Deadline: June 30, 2010

New Workshop Subsidy program to help organizations partner with Creative Capital  to bring the Professional Development Program to even more artists across the country in 2011 and 2012.

GOVERNORS ISLAND ART FAIR: Call for Applications

Deadline: June 30, 2010

An art fair organized entirely by artists on Governor’s Island, NYC.

JULY

2010 DRUCKER AWARD FOR NONPROFIT INNOVATION: Call for Nominations

Deadline: July 1, 2010.

The Drucker Institute at Claremont Graduate University is accepting nominations for the 2010 Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Innovation. Administered annually since 1991, the Drucker Award is granted to a social-sector organization that demonstrates Peter Drucker’s definition of innovation—”change that creates a new dimension of performance.” Supported by a grant from the Coca-Cola Foundation, the first place prize is $100,000; the second place prize is $7,500; and the third place prize is $5,000.

ADAMS ART ON THE GREEN: Call for Artisans

Deadline: July 1, 2010

Arts and crafts event scheduled for July 24, 2010, held on the Adams, MA, Town Hall lawn, 11AM to 3PM. Artists, crafters and performers of all ages are invited to join the event. All types of art will be considered.

UNITED STATES MINT: Call for Artists

Deadline: July 6, 2010

The United States Mint invites artists, designers, and illustrators to apply for a paid position as a contracted, Associate Designer in their Artistic Infusion Program (AIP). Artists chosen to be a part of the AIP program can work from anywhere and have the tremendous opportunity to take part in American history by contributing potential designs for the next generation of coins. Chosen artists will receive $2,000 for each assigned design submission as well as an additional $5,000 if their design is selected to be sculpted into a coin.

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.

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.

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

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.

ROLLING

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 craftersns to participate in the  monthly downtown Williamstown community event.

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

“The American Graphic Design Awards is our four decade old flagship competition, and is open to everyone in the graphic arts community — graphic design firms, advertising agencies, inhouse corporate and institutional designers, publishers and other media. It honors outstanding new work of all kinds in 23 categories from print and packaging to internet and interactive design.”

Kevin Sprague, Creative Director of Studio Two posted yesterday, “We just got word that we have been awarded with four American Graphic Design Awards in 2010 for Website Design. The sites for Hancock Shaker Village (Brand new!)(http://www.hancockshakervillage.org), Berkshire Mountain Distillers (http://berkshiremountaindistillers.com), Berkshire International Film Festival (http://www.biffma.org), and Barrington Stage Co. (http://barringtonstageco.org) were selected for the honor. I couldn’t be prouder of the work which is informed by everyone here at the studio. The sites are not only great examples of good web design, but they are core expressions of the brand for each of these organizations. Thanks also to our amazing, visionary clients who have put their trust in our capabilities and creativity. Excellent!”

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During the behind the scenes site visit the participants learned about Crane & Co.’s products and processes, toured the Crane Museum, and the Dalton and North Adams facilities. They now have the opportunity to submit new stationary and greeting card designs.

Click here to read more about the Creative Challenge!

When Berkshire Creative and Interprint, Inc., released the call for applications for the inaugural challenge, there was no way to know what the response would be to the new intitiative. By the September 28th deadline, the response was clear- 39 local creatives, of various disciplines and backgrounds had applied. From those 39 applicants, 21 were chosen to participate, and 18 those 21 participants submitted solutions to the challenge.

From those eighteen submissions, five were selected. Heather Rose’s popcorn inspired design was selected for development, three designs by Thomas Hoadley was put on retainer, and three other participants, Jennifer Clark, John Stritch, and Cate Hunter received small awards in recognition of their designs. All designers will be paid fair market price for any developed design.

“We are so elated that this, our first Creative Challenge, was such a resounding success,” says Berkshire Creative Director, Helena Fruscio. “The Creative Challenge has helped raise awareness that if you are a manufacturer looking for a top-notch designer or a designer looking for a contract with a world-class company, you can find it here in the Berkshires, where creativity lives!”

Companies interested in hosting a Creative Challenge should contact Helena Fruscio, Director of Berkshire Creative by phone or 413.822.8324 or email at helena.fruscio@berkshirecreative.org.

Click here to read iberkshires coverage of the Creative Challenge or here to listen to Charlie Dietz’s coverage on WAMC!

Click here to read past posts about the Creative Challenge!

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

The Shaker’s deep-seated commitment to sustainability in building, living, and farming will be investigated and tested for its applicability to modern life. Students will expand their skills in architectural design, historic preservation, construction, restoration, and town planning, as well as their understanding of historic site management while working closely with museum staff, instructors, craftsmen, and preservationists.

Faculty appointments include Program Director Dr. Steven Bedford, an architectural historian at Louis Berger Group and formerly a senior planner at Fitzgerald Halliday, who will teach the history of American buildings . Dr. Max Page, associate professor of architecture and history at UMass Amherst, will teach preservation policy. Preservation carpenter and woodworker Robert Adam, founder of the preservation carpentry program at the North Bennet Street School in Boston and craftsman and historian Don Carpentier, owner of Eastfield Village, will teach traditional trades and craftsmanship. Donald Friedman, a principal of Old Structures Engineering, one of the leading consultancies in structural engineering for historic and old buildings, will teach the history of construction systems, methods, and materials. Michael Devonshire, principal and director of conservation at Jan Hird Pokorny Associates of New York and a preservation architecture professor at Columbia University, will teach building conservation.

Prospective students are invited to attend an open house reception with faculty members on Sunday, January 10 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Hancock Shaker Village (1843 W. Housatonic St., Pittsfield, MA).  Please RSVP to Steven Bedford, program director, at 413.443.0188 ext. 239 or sbedford@hancockshakervillage.org.

The priority registration deadline for the UMass Amherst Hancock Shaker Village program is February 1, 2010. For more information, visit www.umass.edu/preservation.

The Master of Science in Design curriculum will progress as follows:

Fall First Year

American Building-17th-19th Centuries (includes preservation theory)

Building Conservation I

Preservation Policy

Spring First Year

Researching Historic Structures

Traditional Trades and Craftsmanship

Building Conservation II

Fall Second Year

Material Culture/Green Building Techniques and Historic Preservation

Structural and Mechanical Systems

Architectural Materials Testing I

Spring Second Year

Cultural Resource Management

Architectural Materials Testing II

Preservation Design Studio

The program is geared toward working professionals who wish to maintain employment while pursuing an advanced degree. Courses are offered on a schedule that allows students to commute to western Massachusetts for two days of concentrated classes on alternating weeks during the spring and fall semesters.  Classes may be held in Amherst or Pittsfield depending on instructional objectives of various stages of the program. Credits may be transferred to other degree programs with permission and may qualify for AIA continuing education credits.

Evidence of design capacity or knowledge of the building trades is required for admission. While a core group of students will be selected for full matriculation, there will be spaces available for students electing to take individual courses. Credits may be transferable to alternate advanced degree programs as well as AIA Mandatory Continuing Education.

About Hancock Shaker Village

Hancock Shaker Village is one of the most visited cultural venues in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. Visited by nearly 70,000 people annually, the Village brings the Shaker story to life, and preserves it for future generations. It is a center for reflection on the values of principled living that the Shakers embraced – equality, community, sustainability, and responsible land stewardship – that still resonate today. For more information, call 800.817.1137 or see www.hancockshakervillage.org.

The Design Industry Group of Massachusetts (DIGMA) is an initiative of the statewide design industries to organize and promote the Massachusetts design cluster as integral to the state’s economy. DIGMA enables diverse design industries including advertising, architecture, graphic design, industrial design, interior design, landscape design, and specialized design services such as fashion, textiles and lighting design – to speak with one powerful and influential voice.

Since its founding in 2007, DIGMA has worked collaboratively with local design and civic leaders to:

• Unite various design disciplines and their respective associations into a single, influential economic cluster
• Increase understanding of the design cluster by undertaking research on the industry and its economic impact
• Help designers forge stronger ties with current and prospective clients, other creative thinkers and doers (such as educators, inventors, entrepreneurs, artists, engineers, and scientists), aficionados and critics, and the global design community
• Organize and facilitate symposia, roundtables, and other programs to build awareness and raise visibility of the design industry
• Inform and influence policy that promotes design as part of the Massachusetts innovation economy

Click here to visit www.digma.us for more information!

Planning Meetings for Design Visibility Campaign

Thursday, August 13 – 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Gensler
One Beacon Street, Third Floor
Boston, MA

(NOTE: Gensler needs to provide building security with the names of all attending persons in advance of the meeting. Please RSVP by noon on Wednesday August 12 to Stephen Clark at Stephen.Clark@massart.edu) *

Thursday, August 27 – 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Institute for Human Centered Design
200 Portland Street
Boston

*Berkshire Creative is attending this event, if you are interested in attending please contact info@berkshirecreative.org to coordinate.

NETWORKING EVENT FOR BERKSHIRE CREATIVES!

Come and meet your creative economy colleagues! If words like art, culture, design, innovation, and technology are part of your vocabulary chances are you are part of the region’s growing creative economy. Whether you work in industry or the arts, Berkshire Creative invites you to come out to mix and mingle at our signature event!

JOIN YOUR CREATIVE COLLEAGUES AT THE NEXT SPARK!

Chesterwood

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

5:30 PM-7:00 PM

Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cash bar!

Please RSVP by NOON on Friday, June 26, 2009 to info@berkshirecreative.org or call 413.822.8324.

WARNING: Do not use driving directions from online mapping services such as Google Maps which lead to unpaved, poorly marked back roads that are not the best route. Use directions below.

Chesterwood is located off Route 183 in the Glendale section of Stockbridge. At the intersection of routes 102 and 183, take 183 south. One mile south turn right onto Mohawk Lake Rd, and take the first left onto Willow St. which becomes Williamsville Rd. Continue following the Chesterwood signs. The Museum will be on your right.

CHESTERWOOD

Chesterwood is the country home, studio and gardens of Daniel Chester French (1850-1931), American’s foremost monumental sculptor of Abraham Lincoln for the State House in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1912 and later for the Lincoln Memorial in 1922 in Washington, D.C. A new self-guided tour, Discover Lincoln at Chesterwood, will connect visitors to displays in the Barn Gallery and Studio of French’s preliminary models, bronze sculptures and Lincoln-related works used as a reference for his final sculptures completed at Chesterwood, including a plaster cast of his own hands. A full-size bronze reproduction of his Standing Abraham Lincoln statue is located on the grounds.

Click here to visit Chesterwood online and see all that is happening this summer including the annual contemporary sculpture exhibition, IS183 art classes, Lincoln Trail and more!

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OUR CREATIVE BERKSHIRES

As always, attendees are invited to bring business cards and brochures to leave on a table showcasing “Our Creative Berkshires.”

Let’s talk across industry, talk across sector, talk across town!

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A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR LEAD SPARK! SPONSORS:

Greylock Federal Credit Union sparks the convenience of banking with Mobile Banking. Greylock is always as close as your web-enabled cell phone, Blackberry® or PDA. Wherever life takes you… Greylock is there! Click here for details.

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SNEAK PEEK OF SPARK! FEATURED BUSINESSES

Check out the Berkshire Creative Economy businesses that will be featured at the upcoming Tuesday, June 30th SPARK! at Chesterwood!

Bascom Lodge

Bascom Lodge is a rustic stone and wood Lodge atop Mt. Greylock that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930′s to provide accommodations for hikers, vacationers, and nature enthusiasts. It has private and group rooms available for overnight stay and its large dining room with high ceiling and hand-cut oak beams provides an ideal atmosphere for dining. An enclosed porch with wraparound windows overlooks the finest views in the Berkshires and the stone fireplaces create a relaxing setting after a day of hiking.

Berkshire Art Kitchen (BAK)

Berkshire Art Kitchen is a mission-based for-profit enterprise committed to providing inspiring opportunities for creativity, connection and change. B.A.K.’s gatherings, potlucks, sales and events boost our local economy while generating income for artists and craftspeople in our own neighborhoods and in villages around the globe to foster a more engaging quality of life for everyone.

Berkshire Music School

Berkshire Music School is an independent, community supported, nonprofit Music School with the mission to provide quality education in music and musical opportunities to people in the greater Berkshire community regardless of race, religion, ethnic origin, disability, age, or ability to pay. There’s a full summer of play time at Berkshire Music School! Songwriting with David Grover; String Camps; Opera Adventures; Nature’s Music for Infants; Flute Choir; Music 1.0; Cabaret Workshops and Summer Samplers. 413.442.1411 to register.

Carlos Chissione

Chiossone & Co. has moved fulltime to the Berkshires. Carlos, a commercial photographer by profession and a crafter at heart, a Creative Director and main Internet Developer ow brings himself to Great Barrington/Hillsdale. While his wood shop is in Hillsdale, he does most of his meetings from GB. Now he is offering to the Berkshires community a new service of laser cutting. From architectural models, to scrap book embellishments, to fabric appliqués, to short run die-cuts without the die, to signs. Also his custom wooden tiles, custom base boards, and architectural home accents.

Williams College of Art (WCMA)

One of the finest college art museums in the country, the Williams College Museum of Art houses 13,000 works that span the history of art. Within the broad range of time periods and cultures represented, the collection emphasizes modern and contemporary art, American art from the late 18th century to present, and the art of world cultures. Admission to the museum is always FREE, as are a host of educational programs that are available to the public.

Winstanley Associates

Winstanley Partners is Winstanley Associates, a marketing and creative design firm, and Lenox Softworks, Inc., a software development company offering custom solutions in e-business and educational software to its clients across the U.S. For more information, visit winstanley.com.

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

Wednesday, June 10, 2009, 2:00 – 3:30 pm, Reception to follow

Continuum, 1220 Washington Street, West Newton, MA

Please RSVP to Beate Becker, DIGMA Director at rsvp@digma.us.

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