Pittsfield Cultural Council Extends Invitation to Join Committee

08:04AM / Sunday, May 15, 2022Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Cultural Council (PCC) is extending an invitation to Berkshire County residents to apply to join the committee.

Those who join in the summer will be on board in time to participate in reviewing of the fall grant applications. The committee invites potential members to come to a meeting, ask questions and see how they can be involved. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, June 8, 7pm, Pittsfield City Hall, Room 203.

Funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, each year the PCC reviews grant applications from artists, cultural groups and organizations in Pittsfield and surrounding communities and decides if those applications meet the criteria for funding. With limited funding available each year and working with the priorities established by the council, the members of PCC collaborate to fund projects that best serve the needs and interests of the residents of Pittsfield.

There is a limit of two three-year terms that members may serve, and new member recruitment is ongoing throughout the year. Membership on the PCC offers a great opportunity for anyone interested in supporting the arts and culture in Pittsfield. Members participate in one of the largest grassroots cultural funding networks in the nation with other like-minded volunteers who are passionate about the local cultural program and the positive impact it has on the community.

The PCC meets once a month from July through February, and are meetings are typically no more than an hour in length. There are no special qualifications to join the council, and it offers an opportunity to meet new people, share skills and support an important program that contributes to the quality of life. For more information about the PCC or to attend the next meeting, contact PCC at pittsfieldculture@yahoo.com or visit www.mass-culture.org/Pittsfield.

Tags: Mass Cultural Council,

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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Restructure

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday.

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to restructure the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection.

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data. Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost."

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor.

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