Survey Aims to Improve Economic Structures for Local Artists

By Jen ThomasPrint Story | Email Story
Thanks to a unique collaboration of local creative institutions, Berkshire County artists from all disciplines and backgrounds can now participate in shaping the economic future of the region. This month, the Berkshire Cultural Resource Center in North Adams, Pittsfield’s Office of Cultural Development and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Arts unveiled a survey that they hope will shed some light on the needs of working artists. "What we’re collaborating on is a project where we really look at what artists need to succeed professionally," said Megan Whilden, the director of Pittsfield’s Office of Cultural Development. "We want to chart the landscape for what artists need." Defined as people who derive 10 percent or more of their total income from their art, working artists are an integral part of the Berkshires’ growing creative economy. In understanding the financial situation, housing preferences and professional development needs of local artists, the partners expect to better encourage the artists community, mostly in the economic sector. "A number of us in the arts community have been talking about how to deliver more support to our local artists to help them develop their business skills, meet their housing needs, and invest for their long-term growth," says Blair Benjamin, director of Real Estate and Community Development at MASS MoCA in a statement. "The surveys are a thoughtful approach to ensuring Berkshire County’s thriving economy," said Whilden, who estimated at least 1,000 artists live in the region. "You can’t help someone unless you know what they need." The survey, which has already received approximately 150 responses, follows the formation of two 25-person focus groups, held in both North Adams and Pittsfield. "We invited artists to meet with us and we talked through how they saw the housing market in the Berkshires, for example, and then we asked them what they would like to see," said Whilden. Supported by a Massachusetts Cultural Council planning grant, the survey project will help the arts institutions find additional resources to benefit artists, who Whilden called "the underpinning of the creative economy." "Artists are a critical part of what makes the Berkshires a relatively thriving creative economy and it’s not always clear what they need to improve their businesses," said Benjamin. The collected data will be used to design programs and apply for grants. Some possible program, according to Benjamin, include business training, a micro loan program and other artists’ resources. "Artists have unique challenges as solo enterprises," said Benjamin. "These initiatives will give us solid data that can help us persuade funders to support new strategies aimed at improving the livelihoods of Berkshire County artists." The survey will also give the partners an idea of how many artists actually live in Berkshire County. All practicing artists in Berkshire County are invited to participate in the anonymous survey by visiting www.culturalpittsfield.com or www.berkshireartstart.org. The survey can be completed online in 10 minutes or less. Artists can also contact Benjamin at 664-4481 x8104 to request a hard copy of the survey. Surveys must be submitted by September 15 to be included in the official results. Jen Thomas may be reached via email at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at (413) 663-3384, ext. 23.
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Pittsfield 'Targeted' Shooting Leaves One Dead, One Injured

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A 29-year-old Pittsfield man is dead and another is injured following what authorities believe was a targeted shooting Thursday night near the intersection of Pleasure Avenue and Tyler Street.
 
According to police, on Thursday at approximately 8:09 p.m., multiple officers responded to an area at the intersection of Pleasure Avenue and Tyler Street for a reported shooting. 
 
Dispatch was alerted by both a multiple-round ShotSpotter activation as well as 911 callers. Responding officers located two men who had sustained gunshot wounds and both were transported to Berkshire Medical Center by ambulance.
 
One victim, a 38-year-old Pittsfield resident, was treated for a non-life-threatening injury and was later released. The second shooting victim, the 29-year-old, died from his injuries at BMC despite the efforts of first responders and hospital staff.
 
This incident is currently under investigation by members of the Pittsfield Police Department in conjunction with personnel from the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and other assisting agencies. 
 
At this time investigators believe that the shooting was a targeted act. 
 
Anyone who wishes to report information is asked to contact the Pittsfield Police Department at 413-448-9700. Information can also be provided anonymously by texting PITTIP and your message to TIP411 (847411.)
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