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.
Share
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Two of 3 Hinsdale Officers Involved in Kauvil Shooting Won't Return

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
HINSDALE, Mass. — Seven months after being placed on leave only one officer involved in the fatal police shooting of 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil in January has returned to duty. 
 
The Select Board accepted Police Chief Shawn Boyne's letter of intention to retire during Wednesday's board meeting.
 
"We've got a lot to do. We've got to build a department again, but we'll survive," board member Raymond Huntoon said in a follow-up. 
 
Two of the three Select Board members were present, with Huntoon serving as chair because the chairman was absent. 
 
Huntoon and Margaret Gregory both voted to accept Boyne's letter of intention to retire. The retirement will not be official until the Berkshire County Retirement Board sets an effective date, Huntoon said later.
 
The board did not read Boyne's retirement letter aloud during Wednesday's meeting and did not discuss the matter further. iBerkshires' request for the letter under public records was rejected with board members saying it contained medical information. 
 
Despite the attention the situation has received online, the meeting was lightly attended, with about a dozen people in attendance.
 
View Full Story

More Regional Stories

Sports
image description

Lenox Edges Hoosac Valley to Reach State Semi-Final

Sports
Sports
image description

Durant Leads Drury Back to Final Four

Sports
Sports
image description

Wahconah's Iovieno Earns Statewide Honor

Sports
Sports
image description

Codey Masterful in Generals' Western Mass Three-Peat

Sports
Sports
image description

Hurricane Seniors Finish Atop Western Mass

Sports
Sports
image description

Mount Greylock Boys, Girls Defend Western Mass Titles

Sports
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?