The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute has announced a $54,300 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. It is the largest operating support grant in western Massachusetts, and one of the top 15 of 400 such grants awarded throughout the Commonwealth. The grant begins a three-year funding cycle in support of the Clark's educational programs. Grants are awarded to organizations with track records of excellence, education, and community service.
The MCC grant supports the Clark's variety of educational programs including its school bus subsidy program that underwrites the cost of bus travel for schools within a one-day drive. This program enables students to participate in customized gallery talks and other quality arts education programs at little or no cost. The Clark also offers free educational programs targeted at a variety of ages throughout the year including lectures about art and artists, focused gallery talks, family activity days, and film screenings.
The Clark is considered a leader in arts education and each year sponsors a docent "summer school" bringing museum docents from throughout the United States to the Clark for a week of training. This highly-regarded program provides participants with an opportunity to analyze works of art and explore innovative ways of presenting them to diverse audiences. Participants are trained to think about organizing information, engaging visitors, and linking varied works of art together into a coherent sequence.
"The Massachusetts Cultural Council provides critical operating support not only for the Clark, but for many Berkshire-based institutions that contribute to the creative economy of the region," said Tony King, deputy director of the Clark. "The Clark is pleased to receive MCC funding in this grant cycle that will allow us to continue to offer the highest quality educational programs."
"The MCC's continued support of the Clark is an important statement about the council's commitment to funding arts and culture in the Berkshires," stated Representative Daniel Bosley. "It is an investment in the arts education of Berkshire County students, and in the quality of life of Berkshire County residents."
The Massachusetts Cultural Council is a state agency that promotes excellence, access, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and sciences, to improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents and contribute to the economic vitality of our communities.
The MCC pursues this mission through a combination of grants, services, and advocacy for nonprofit cultural organizations, schools, communities, and artists. MCC's budget for the current fiscal year is $13.4 million, including $12.3 million from the state of Massachusetts and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Wallace Foundation, and other sources.
The Clark
Set amidst 140 bucolic acres in the picturesque Berkshires, the Clark is one of the few major art museums in the United States that also serves as a leading international center for research and higher education. In addition to its extraordinary collections, the Clark organizes groundbreaking special exhibitions that advance new scholarship and presents an array of public and educational programs. The Clark's research and academic programs include an international fellowship program and regular conferences, symposia, and colloquia. The Clark, together with Williams College, sponsors one of the nation's leading master's programs in art history and encompasses one of the most comprehensive art history libraries in the world. Its Fellows and Conference programs draw university and museum professionals from around the world.
The Clark is located at 225 South Street in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The galleries are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (daily in July and August). Admission is free November through May. Admission June 1 through October 31 is $12.50 for adults, free for children 18 and younger, members, and students with valid ID. For more information, call 413-458-2303 or visit www.clarkart.edu
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Companion Corner: Lucy at Second Chance Animal Shelter
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
ARLINGTON, Vt. — There is an excited and energetic pup looking for her new family.
iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.
Lucy is an 18-month-old heeler/terrier mix with energy to spare. She has been at the Second Chance Animal Shelter for about a month.
Lead canine care technician Alaura Lasher introduced us to her.
"She is a very energetic girl. She loves to play, and as you can see, she came to us from animal control," she said.
Lucy was not in a great situation before coming to the shelter and they are still trying to learn more about her.
"They had seized her from a pretty neglectful situation. She was actually technically abandoned. She just came to us this last month, so she's still showing us all of her energy she has," Lasher said.
Lucy is able to go home with a dog-savvy cat and older children as she can be a bit jumpy with her bounds of energy.
"The perfect home for her is one that is able to give her a ton of attention and a ton of time playing, she loves her time outside," said Lasher. "She can run forever and not get tired. She can possibly live with another dog who is used to more of a pushy play style. She can be a little pushy when she plays, just because she's so hyper."
Since she is young, she is still learning and training with the staff and might need more with someone who takes her home.
"To the best of our knowledge, she's just a healthy young girl, because she's only a year and a half old, she still got a little bit of learning and training that she could use."
But Lucy is always happy to see anyone and immediately wants to play and say hi. Her endless energy makes her a great companion to play outside with and then hang out after a long day of fun.
"She's just a super sweet girl again. She'll need some help with the training, but as long as you've got time to burn out her energy, she'll make a great family dog," she said.
If you think Lucy might be the girl for you, reach out to Second Chance Animal Shelter and learn more about her on their website.
The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.
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Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
