MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center Names New Director

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Berkshire Cultural Resource Center has appointed Erica Wall as its new director.

As director, she will assume oversight of MCLA's public art spaces and programs, including MCLA's Gallery 51, its performing arts program, MCLA Presents!, and its four-month summer arts festival, DownStreet Art.

Wall is the founder of the Erica Broussard Gallery in Santa Ana, Calif. and has worked as director of school and community programs at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and as director of education at The Crocker Museum in Sacramento. Prior to that, she worked as an educator at The Getty Center in Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). Wall is a previous Smithsonian Fellow and holds a bachelor's degree from UCLA and a master's degree in museum education from California State University, Los Angeles.

Closer to home, Wall is the founder of 36 Chase Artist & Art Historians Residency in North Adams.
"While Erica is moving from California to join us in NAMA, she has very specific connections to the area," said Diane Scott, chair of MCLA's Department of Fine & Performing Arts. "She opened the 36 Chase Residency to support the work of underrepresented artists. Erica's expertise in this arena will strengthen the work of the BCRC, complement the work of the Institute for the Arts and Humanities, and benefit the entire MCLA and Northern Berkshire communities. We're very excited to have her join our team."

Healey, Driscoll Outline Municipal Funding Plans at MMA Conference

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:38AM / Saturday, January 24, 2026

The conference ran 'The Tonight Show' skit that had three Boston stars reading off the names of all 351 cities and towns. 

BOSTON — The Healey administration's 2027 budget will include boosts a 4.4 percent boost to local aid of more than $10.4 billion. 

 

Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll have the Massachusetts Municipal Association's annual conference a small preview of the upcoming budget and other initiatives at Friday morning's opening session.

 

Healey expounded on her State of the Commonwealth address given Thursday night, and the state's efforts to maintain its even keel despite a less than helpful federal government.

 

"They're driving prices up and they're making things more difficult for all of us, whether that's freezing food and health benefits or cutting off services with for veterans," said the governor. on Friday. "Last month we're dealing with taking away health care. I mean, the hits just keep coming. But you know, we just have to stand strong together. 

 

"And I think now more than ever, we just need to double down on our partnership and our collaboration."

 

She reminded the gathering during her talk that America was founded because of Massachusetts, and that we still vote in town meetings, and play catch on town commons where the militia once drilled. 

 

"I think we can be a really positive response and a role model, frankly, for the country right now, people who are looking for stability, common sense, and a focus on their lives, what matters to them," the governor said.