GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Berkshire Pulse announced the recent purchase of an historic mill building in downtown Housatonic to serve as the organization's future, permanent home. 

 

Pulse closed on the 3-story, 13,350 square foot facility at 410 Park Street on Dec. 20, 2024, made possible through gifts from several donors.

 

"Berkshire Pulse was founded with the core belief that dance and the creative arts can profoundly enrich peoples' lives—and that everyone should have direct access to the arts, regardless of their age, abilities, or life circumstances. Our community in Housatonic has been incredibly supportive of this mission since we first started holding classes here nearly 20 years ago, and we are grateful for their continued encouragement today," said Bettina Montano, founder and artistic director of Berkshire Pulse. "This new space will allow us to expand our programs, offer more opportunities for local artists, and deepen our impact and connection with the community. We can't wait to envision how our Pulse will evolve now that we finally have a permanent home and a place to grow."

 

Early in 2025, Pulse will begin the planning process to refine the renovation designs, timeline, and funding requirements to convert 410 Park from a private residence to a new, dynamic dance and creative arts center. Project planning costs will be partially supported by a feasibility study grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council's Cultural Facilities Fund program. 

 

Though the building's purchase and acquisition costs have already been fully underwritten through contributions, the project's planning and construction expenses will need to be raised separately through an anticipated multi-million dollar capital campaign to be launched by Berkshire Pulse's Board of Directors and volunteers later in 2025. 

 

"We are so grateful to these extraordinary donors whose transformational gifts have laid the foundation for what promises to be a bright new future for Pulse," said Abigail Rollins, Executive Director of Berkshire Pulse. "And on the cusp of Pulse's 30th anniversary, we look forward to seeing how our future home will not only allow us to fulfill our mission in new, exciting ways, but also to serve as a community resource for Berkshire-area artists and families for generations to come."

 

30 years ago, Bettina Montano began an afterschool program (initially called "The Flowering Child Performing Arts Program") for children in a gym in Stockbridge. Pulse has had many "homes" since its founding. Coincidentally, one of the locations rented to host Pulse classes in the early years - and Pulse's first home in Housatonic - was at 410 Park Street. Friends of the organization donated considerable time and resources to convert raw space on the bottom floors of 410 Park into two dance studios where Pulse held classes for seven years before the property was ultimately sold and converted into a private residence. 

 

Since 2014, it has rented 6,500 square feet on the third floor of Rubin Mill (located next door at 420 Park Street) for its studios and administrative offices. Pulse will continue to operate its Youth Performing Arts and Community Classes at Rubin Mill for the next several years while it undergoes the construction and capital campaign work required for 410 Park. In addition to maintaining classes in Housatonic, Pulse will continue to offer its many off-site In-School and Community Outreach programs, including its expanded presence in Pittsfield through its partnership with the Berkshire Boys & Girls Club.