Creative Economy Explored in Three Free Panel Discussions
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' and the Berkshire Cultural Resource Center, in cooperation with Berkshire Creative, will present a trio of free "Tricks of the Trade" sessions this March that will explore ways to sustain and grow the creative economy.
"The Berkshires have been and continue to be a leader in recognizing the importance of the creative economy. It's an exciting time to look at where we are and how we continue to grow this essential sector of our economy," said Megan Whilden, director of cultural development for Pittsfield and president-elect of Berkshire Creative's Board of Directors.
The March sessions kick off on Tuesday, March 4, at IS183 Art School in Stockbridge with "The Creative Economy: Advocacy." For the creative economy to continue to grow, it needs to be recognized and supported by government at all levels: local, state and national. State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier and MassCreative Executive Director Matt Wilson will discuss the importance of making sure local voices are heard and how to be strategic about advocating for resources and policy that benefit artists, arts organizations, designers, creative businesses and more.
The discussion will be moderated by Whilden. IS183 Art School is located at 13 Willard Hill Road in Stockbridge.
On Wednesday, March 5, Pittsfield's Lichtenstein Center for the Arts hosts a session titled "The Creative Economy: Economic Impact." A recent national study shows that the creative economy has a large economic impact nationally, larger than tourism. Williams College economist Stephen Sheppard, state Creative Economy Director Helena Fruscio, and Dee Schneidman from the New England Foundation for the Arts will talk about current efforts to ensure the creative economy is properly measured through innovative data collection and analysis, and why it's important.
The discussion will be moderated by Van Shields, executive director of the Berkshire Museum and president of Berkshire Creative. The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts is located at 28 Renne Ave., Pittsfield.
On Thursday, March 6, the final session on "The Creative Economy: Education & Training" will take place at MCLA's Gallery 51 at 51 Main St. in North Adams. Like other economic sectors, proper workforce development and training is required for current and future creative economy practitioners, whether they are artists, arts managers, creative businesses or solo practitioners.
Four local providers of creative economy training and education will talk about the field and where it is going. Moderator Lisa Donovan, author and MCLA arts administration professor, will be joined by Blair Benjamin from Assets for Artists and Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, Hope Sullivan, the executive director of IS183 Art School, Diane Pearlman, executive director of the Berkshire Film & Media Collaboration, and Christine Condaris, MCLA music professor and chair of the Fine and Performing Arts Department.
All Tricks of the Trade session are free and open to the public and start at 6 p.m. For more information about the series, call the Berkshire Cultural Resource Center at 413-664 8718.
