2nd Street Seeks Submissions for Literary Project

11:19AM / Saturday, May 18, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 2nd Street seeks submissions for Using Our Outside Voices, a literary project created in partnership with Berkshire Community College (BCC) that is designed to promote creativity, acceptance and inclusion for presently or formerly incarcerated men and women in Berkshire County. The deadline for submissions is June 15, 2024.

Authors whose work is selected will receive a cash award of $200, and winning submissions will be published in a journal. The initial run of 400 printed copies of the free journal will be distributed locally, and digital copies will be available online. In addition, public readings will be held at various venues in the Berkshires.

Any presently or formerly incarcerated resident of Berkshire County is invited to submit original poetry, short fiction, personal essays or other literary works. Those who need editorial help can bring their work to 2nd Street, located at 264 Second Street, Pittsfield.

For more details on how to submit a literary work, visit www.2nd-street.org and click Special Projects, or call (413) 443-7220, ext. 1275.

Financial and in-kind support of Using Our Outside Voices is provided by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Arts Build Community initiative with funding from the Barr Foundation; by Berkshire United Way; by Berkshire Community College; and by Pittsfield Cultural Council, a local agency supported by Mass Cultural Council.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

Greylock Youth SummerFest

Come join in on the wealth building fun! August 3-8. Click for event details. Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Invited to 'Senior Study' with MSBA

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:49AM / Friday, August 14, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Public Schools has been invited to engage in a study with the Massachusetts School Building Authority as it requests funds to repair Pittsfield High.

Superintendent Latifah Phillips delivered the news to the School Building Needs Commission last week. Pittsfield has been invited to engage in a senior study where enrollment, program, and facility issues are reviewed.

While this is a good sign, it doesn't mean that PPS's proposal was accepted.

"We're still not invited into the grant program, but this is still a positive step," Phillips said.

The city is pursuing a statement of interest to the MSBA, a quasi-independent government agency, to cover up to 80 percent of the cost for renovations.

In July, the School Committee received a report card on the 1931 building's physical condition, which was described as "poor" and in need of restoration to its original character.

The senior study team will have consultants and senior architects with extensive knowledge of building systems and educational programs, Phillips said. They will visit PHS and Taconic for a few hours at the end of September.

A summation of the 284,301-square-foot building at 300 East St. describes it as being "in poor condition overall," but the condition of the finishes and overall quality of the school is said to reflect the age at which it was constructed.

"The site has issues with its asphalt paving, causing accessibility and safety concerns. The fields are in good condition. The sidewalks around the building appear to be in poor condition, with accessibility updates necessary. ADA ramps are in poor condition," it reads.

View Full Story