ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams Arts Advisory Board's efforts to create a creative economy will be recognized next week at the Massachusetts Municipal Association's annual meeting.

 

The town of Adams will be presented the Kenneth E. Pickard Municipal Innovation Award at the Hynes Convention Center.

 

Board member Patricia Fietta said it is a great honor to be one of four communities in the state to receive the innovation award that is given to communities that have developed unique and creative programs to increase the effectiveness of local government.

 

"Receiving the Kenneth E. Pickard Municipal Innovation Award is a great honor for the Adams Arts Advisory Board and the town of Adams," Fietta said. "Artists and concerned citizens in the group have worked together with our town's government to achieve many innovative artistic projects that have added to our creative economy."

 

Since its implementation in 2015, the advisory board has gathered together local and new artists in the community and harnessed their talents to amplify their creative and cultural presence in town.

 

Fietta said it is something special to see the small group grow into something that has garnered attention from the state.

 

The group has spearheaded the highly successful Berkshire Mountains Faerie Festival, pop-up galleries and even public art in an attempt to spruce up the town and add a vibrancy that they hope will inspire residents and tourists alike.

 

"All the projects our group has done from presenting to realtors what artists want in a space to hoisting up a 20-foot by 10-foot mural onto a building have been fantastic," Fietta said. "We are so pleased that art is being recognized and appreciated by the community and the town government."

 

Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco congratulated the group at a recent Selectmen's meeting.

 

"Kudos to them and it is an award that celebrates innovation and unique ways the town is able to work with different groups to achieve things," he said. 

 

Fietta said the award will open up new doors for the arts group.

 

"State recognition gives us more creditability and will allow us to have access to other resources," she said. "We have recently formed as a 501(c)3 group. This gives us many more opportunities for grants and larger projects. Winning this award will look very good on any grant form."

 

Fietta said the group has plenty of projects in the queue for Adams. It has applied for grant funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council to install two new public art pieces along the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and will again sponsor the Faerie Festival this summer.

 

The group will also work with Pro Adams and the Historical Society to place historical banners throughout town. 

 

Also, upon the completion of the Berkshire Scenic Railway to Hoosac Street, the group plans to work with the town and develop ideas for the town-owned train station at the terminus.

 

Fietta said a group of board members will be going to Boston to attend the award ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 21.

 

Three other communities will win this award named after Pickard, executive secretary of the Massachusetts League of Cities and Towns from 1969 to 1973.

 

The MMA also gives awards to communities that have exceptional websites and town reports,.