Rep. Daniel Bosley discusses the impact of the creative economy on the Berkshires at a Thursday press conference.
Stockbridge - As part of the continuing cultural renaissance of the county, members of the Berkshire legislature, the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and business and community leaders announced Thursday two components to help move the creative economy forward.
Held at the Norman Rockwell Museum, the simultaneous announcement of a $100,000 MCC grant and the official formation of the Berkshire Creative Economy Council signals a commitment in the region to expanding and investing in the “creative cluster†- which includes nonprofit institutions, individual artists and commercial businesses that produce and distribute creative products and services.
Officials feel this investment in the Berkshires’ creative efforts will stimulate job creation and economic growth.
“The key to our economy is innovation and creativity,†said Rep. Daniel Bosley (D-North Adams), the House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “We have a creative economy here and it enriches our lives, makes our lives better because we live out here.And, it’s a great place to be.â€
The announcements come following a March unveiling of the Berkshire Creative Economy Report, which outlined a strategy for developing and maintaining the Berkshires’ growing creative economy. The co-chairwomen of the Berkshire Creative Economy Project - Ellen Spear, president and CEO of Hancock Shaker Village and Laurie Norton Moffatt, director and CEO of the Norman Rockwell Museum - have created the Council from the project’s steering committee of entrepreneurs, artists and educators from the both profit and nonprofit sectors.
The mission of the Berkshire Creative Economy Council (or Berkshire Creative) is to “spark innovative collaborations between artists, designers, cultural institutions and businesses with the goal of stimulating new job growth and economic opportunity in the region.â€
“The creative economy is about financing and capitalizing on Berkshire County’s unique strengths,†said Norton Moffatt.
She said those strengths included the “sheer size and scope of the creative cluster,†the balance of rural beauty with proximity to cities and links to other key industries, like tourism, technology, education.
The $100,000 MCC Adams Art Program grant will be used to support the Berkshire Creative’s efforts to stimulate economic development through the advancement of the creative cluster.
“You’ve worked relentlessly, creating a vision for this region and I’m hoping this investment will help fuel that vision, make a reality, bring your vision to life,†said Anita Walker, the executive director for the MCC to the residents of Berkshire County. “You are a model for the state and your work is incredibly important for Massachusetts and this region.â€
Rep. Christopher Speranzo (D-Pittsfield), Rep. William “Smitty†Pignatelli (D-Lenox) and Sen. Benjamin B. Downing (D-Pittsfield) attended the press conference.
“Art means business in the Berkshires. This was the key finding of the Berkshire Creative Economy Project. Creativity is a core competency and competitive advantage of a vibrant Berkshire economy that is recognized internationally for its creative brand,†said Norton Moffatt.
Jen Thomas may be reached via email at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at (413) 663-3384, ext. 23
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Companion Corner: Dolly at Berkshire Humane Society
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There is an affectionate kitty at Berkshire Humane Society looking for a new home.
Dolly is a 1-year-old domestic shorthair with white and tabby markings who has been at the shelter for a short amount of time.
Feline/small animal adoption counselor Alyssa Petell introduced us to her.
"Her name was actually inspired off of Dolly Parton because she came in on the day that Dolly Parton passed away," she said.
The shelter doesn't have a lot of information on Dolly as she was a stray, but knows she is very sweet.
"She was originally found as a stray. So we don't have much background information as to exactly what happened and why she ended up becoming a stray," Petell said. "Unfortunately, a lot of times kitties will become abandoned and become strays or get left behind."
Dolly needs a home with no other cats and will prefer somewhere quiet because she can get a little shy and nervous at times.
"She doesn't like other cats. I think a quiet home, older people would be best for her, just because of her shy personality in the beginning," Petell said. "But she eventually will warm up, and she is a lovely lady."
Dolly loves to be pet and might even play with some feather toys. Like any other cat, she will let you know when she has had enough pets but will be back for more shortly after.
"She loves butt scratches. She's super affectionate. She actually does have a little bit of a playful side when she gets used to you, and she just wants to snuggle with you and be loved on all day long," said Petell.
Dolly is healthy and will join your family up to date with all of her vaccines.
"She doesn't have any health issues. She is spayed, and when you adopt a kitty from our shelter, the adoption fee does include everything medically wise. So their spay or neuter, their vaccines, their health certificate from the vet, everything is included. So she will have all of that done before she goes," she said.
One of her ears is clipped to show she has been spayed as she was a part of the Community Cat Program, but since she was so friendly, the Humane Society decided to adopt her out.
"She was originally caught as a stray from our community cat program. They normally work with trap, neuter, return for feral, semi-feral cats, or friendly strays, and when she was caught, they realized that she was very friendly, and she was then brought into our shelter so we could adopt her out," Petell said.
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