Pittsfield Inaugural Artist-In-Residence at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts

Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts' inaugural Artist-in-Residence program offers an opportunity for an artist to gain creative space and exposure while engaging with the local arts community.

The program not only provides a free 6-month studio space starting in April 2025, but also includes a culminating group exhibition in October 2025, giving the resident artist a platform to showcase their work alongside the other artists at the Lichtenstein.

This residency is designed to foster artistic development and collaboration, allowing the artist to focus on creating new work or refining existing pieces while interacting with arts professionals, stated a press release.

The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts is a hub for creativity and community in Pittsfield. The historic building and its location in the Upstreet Cultural District make it an ideal setting for artistic development and public engagement. Here's a quick overview:

  • Art Gallery & Performance Area
  • Artist Studios: Nine individual studios providing artists with the space to create.
  • Ceramic Studio: A specialized studio for working with ceramics.
  • Cultural Development Office: Central to supporting the arts in Pittsfield.

Named after Kitty Lichtenstein, the arts benefactor who donated the building, the center stands as a tribute to her commitment to the arts in Pittsfield and beyond. The facility itself serves as a testament to the positive impact of supporting local artists and fostering an arts scene. The Lichtenstein Center is a key resource for both emerging and established artists.

Eligibility

  • Full-time residents of Pittsfield
  • Open to both emerging and experienced artists aged 21 and up
  • Artists must have prior experience exhibiting their work

Selection Process

  • Submit a portfolio with a minimum of 5 images, which can be shared via website, social media, or email
  • Participate in an in-person meet and greet with the Cultural Development office the week of March 24

Benefits

  • Free studio space at the Lichtenstein Center for Arts from April to October
  • Opportunity to exhibit in the OUT OF THE STUDIOS group show in October 2025
  • 100 percent of sales proceeds from artwork sold at the group show
  • $200 stipend for being featured in Palace Park during one First Fridays at Five, where you can showcase your work and/or perform live demonstrations
  • Interaction and collaboration with other artists at the Lichtenstein
  • Promotion via LovePittsfield.com's social media platforms

To apply please email: cultural.development@cityofpittsfield.org.

The deadline to apply is March 19.

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

Dalton Police Facility Report Complete; Station Future Still Uncertain

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee's final report is complete but the future of the station remains uncertain. 
 
Several members of the committee attended the Select Board meeting last week, as co-Chair Craig Wilbur presented four options delineated in the presentation — build on town-owned land, build on private land, renovate or repurpose the existing buildings, and do nothing. The full report can be found here
 
According to the report, addressing the station's needs coincides with the town facing significant financial challenges, with rising fixed costs and declining state aid straining its budget. 
 
These financial pressures restrict the town's ability to fund major capital projects and a new police station has to compete with a backlog of deferred infrastructure needs like water, sewer, roads, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.
 
In June 2024, Police Chief Deanna Strout informed the board of the station's dire condition — including issues with plumbing, mold, ventilation, mice, water damage, heating, and damaged cells — prompting the board to take action on two fronts. 
 
The board set aside American Rescue Plan Act funds to address the immediately dire issues, including the ventilation, and established the Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee to navigate long-term options
 
Very early on it was determined that the current facility is not adequate enough to meet the needs of a 21st-century Police Facility. This determination was backed up following a space needs assessment by Jacunski Humes Architects LLC
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories