MCLA initiates B-HIP, connecting student interns with local arts organizations

Print Story | Email Story
B-HIP interns on field trip to Jacob's Pillow. From left to right: Veronica Bosley, Faith Lim, Missi St. Pierre, Kara Perry, Amelia Wood, Jonathan Secor, Joey DeFrees, Drees Griffin, Stacey Czar (photo credit Stacey Czar)
A unique internship program that involves cultural institutions across the Berkshires and students from across the country kicks off at MCLA this summer. B-HIP, the Berkshire Hills Internship Program, places interns from around the country into internships throughout the Berkshires. According to MCLA President Mary K. Grant, the objective is to harness all that the Berkshires has to offer culturally and to utilize it as a learning tool for future arts administrators and practitioners. "This is a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of the rich cultural resources of the Berkshires to connect students eager to learn with arts organizations in need of assistance. This is also a natural extension of our role as an educational institution helping to prepare students to explore and fill the key roles of tomorrow." Specifically, the B-HIP program unites Berkshire nonprofit arts organizations with college and graduate students interested in a career in arts administration, hosts a lecture series for those students with leaders in the arts and takes them on weekly trips to cultural centers throughout the county. Jonathan Secor, B-HIP Special Program Coordinator at MCLA, says, "We sought to establish a county-wide arts internship program that would provide valuable assistance to our region's cultural institutions, while giving students hands-on insight from working professionals into how a nonprofit functions." MCLA plans to expand the program every year, recruiting students nationally as well as internationally to spend up to four months learning, working and living in the Berkshires. Participating arts organizations are The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, MASS MoCA in North Adams, The Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, The Contemporary Artists Center in North Adams, Images Cinema in Williamstown, The Office of Cultural Development in Pittsfield, Williams College Dance Department in Williamstown, The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge and Topia Arts Center in Adams. All students are housed at MCLA. Megan Wilden of the City of Pittsfield's Office of Cultural Development praised the program saying, "We are thrilled to be a partner in the B-HIP program. Providing students with real-time training and participation in arts administration ensures a new generation of savvy, experienced arts advocates for the Berkshires and beyond. We look forward to continuing to actively participate in the B-HIP program as it grows." Organizations are paired with an intern who works in various capacities of arts administration - marketing, public relations, development, sales, programming and curatorial. "I'm learning a great deal about working in a nonprofit arts organization," said B-HIP intern Stacey Czar, a master's candidate at the University of Cincinnati's arts administration program and an intern at the Contemporary Artists Center. "I feel I can make a valuable contribution to a great institution, while gaining significant experience." Faith Lim, a B-HIP intern who graduated from Williams College this spring, divides her time between the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center and Williams College Dance Department, where she is working on a documentary about Chuck Davis, the founder of Dance Africa. "I'm doing grant research for the film and graphic design for Mahaiwe - skills I have always wanted to develop. It is a rare opportunity to be able to spend the day learning while doing, and spend the evenings talking with professionals in the arts." Likewise, the organizations have so far been pleased with their interns. Sandra Thomas of Images Cinema stated, "Our intern jumped right in! She quickly learned about Images and the nature of non-profits. She is researching grants, developing our onscreen underwriting program and assisting with revamping our member benefits. She's eager to learn and her enthusiasm and professionalism are great assets." Beryl Jolly of the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center echoed the sentiment saying "We've been delighted with our two B-HIP interns this summer. They are both smart, pleasant and very helpful as they tackle administrative and production tasks during a very busy time. I hope we can continue to benefit from this program, while providing interns with arts management experience, in years to come." In addition to working daily in the arts, the interns attend "talk-back" forums with renowned people in the arts, where they are encouraged to ask questions, talk about their own experiences and establish relationships. Students will have the chance this summer to participate in talk-back sessions with Ella Baff, director of Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival; Susan Sperber, executive director of the Colonial Theater; Lola Jaffee, chairman of the board of the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center; Eric Rudd, artist and real estate developer; Seth Rogovoy, editor in chief of Berkshire Living Magazine; Bart Reidy, director of external affairs of Williamstown Theater Festival; Nina Garlington, director of development at Berkshire Theater Festival; Bill Powers, director of Berkshire Opera Company and Linda White, director of the Greylock Theater Project. B-HIP interns will see shows and exhibits at MASS MoCA, The Clark, Berkshire Theater Festival, Williamstown Theater Festival, The Mahaiwe, Topia Arts, Norman Rockwell, Gideon's, Club Helsinki, the Berkshire Fringe Festival, Berkshire Opera, the Berkshire Museum, Barrington Stage and Images Cinema. In addition to providing a service to arts organizations and a learning tool for students, the goal of the program is to bring in an influx of young artists and arts managers to the Berkshires, as well as train local youth for jobs in the arts. The program is fully endorsed by the Berkshire Regional Competitiveness Council.
Share
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Friends of Great Barrington Libraries Holiday Book Sale

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Friends of Great Barrington Libraries invite the community to shop their annual Holiday Good-as-New Book Sale, happening now through the end of the year at the Mason Library, 231 Main Street. 
 
With hundreds of curated gently used books to choose from—fiction, nonfiction, children's favorites, gift-quality selections, cookbooks, and more—it's the perfect local stop for holiday gifting.
 
This year's sale is an addition to the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Stroll on this Saturday, Dec. 13, 3–8 PM. Visitors can swing by the Mason Library for early parking, browse the sale until 3:00 PM, then meet Pete the Cat on the front lawn before heading downtown for the Stroll's shopping, music, and festive eats.
 
Can't make the Holiday Stroll? The book sale is open during regular Mason Library hours throughout December.
 
Proceeds support free library programming and events for all ages.
View Full Story

More Stories

Sports
image description

Lee Executes Game Plan to Perfection in Quarter-Final Win

Sports
Sports
image description

Lenox Volleyball Reaches State's Final Four

Sports
Sports
image description

Mount Greylock Boys Win 3rd Straight Regional Crown

Sports
Sports
image description

Mount Greylock Girls Again Top Monson in Western Mass Final

Sports
Sports
image description

Lenox Sweeps Its Way to Western Mass Crown

Sports
Community News
image description

North Adams License Commission Sees Little Need for License...

Community News
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?