Berkshire Arts Organizations Gets a Boost from State Funding

08:15AM / Friday, April 25, 2025Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Mass Cultural Council has announced $3.57 million in grants for 57 performing arts centers across Massachusetts.

The announcement was made today at The Guthrie Center.

"Performing arts centers serve as cornerstones of our communities, fostering creativity, connection, and economic vitality," said Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council. "These organizations offer access to transformative artistic experiences, and these awards help ensure that they're able to continually and successfully draw and book touring artists for their audiences to see and enjoy."

The grants are part of the Fiscal Year 2025 Gaming Mitigation Fund. This fund was established through the Massachusetts Expanded Gaming Act to help local arts venues compete with larger resort casinos when booking touring shows and artists.

According to the Mass Cultural Council, the grants aim to support these centers, which they consider important to community life.

The grants range from $6,000 to $200,000 and are to be used by the recipient organizations to pay touring show or artist fees. The Mass Cultural Council administers the program with 2 percent of state casino tax revenues. Over the past five years, the program has distributed over $17 million to more than 90 organizations in the state.

Berkshire County grantees include:

Barrington Stage Company, Pittsfield, $10,500
Freshgrass Public Foundation, Williamstown, $85,400
Guthrie Center, Great Barrington, $6,000
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Great Barrington, $67,800
Williamstown Theatre Festival, Williamstown, $7,500

"At the Guthrie Center, we believe that expression of self through the arts is an integral part of building strong community bonds and that together, we can work towards cultivating a deeper awareness of cultural and human diversity within our communities and the world of which we are all a part," said Annie Guthrie, Executive Director, The Guthrie Center. "We are extremely grateful to Mass Cultural Council for the support they offer to organizations like ours. The resources they provide are crucial to our ability to carry out our mission."

The event at The Guthrie Center featured speakers from two grant recipient organizations, as well as State Senator Paul Mark and Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chair Jordan Maynard.

Tags: cultural grants,

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

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

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

Lt. Governor Driscoll Visits Great Barrington Businesses

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Housing Secretary Ed Augustus and state Rep. Leigh Davis are ready to chop wood out back of Pleasant and Main.

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll did some holiday shopping on Main Street last week after announcing millions of federal Community Development Block Grant funds.

She was glad to see an array of small-business owners thriving, and the eclectic items that Great Barrington has to offer.

"We know that the vibrancy of communities can often be defined by what's happening on Main Street," she said.

"It's great to be here in Great Barrington and see so many independent entrepreneurs who are running really, not only fun, but businesses that are doing well, and we want to try and find ways to uplift and support that work moving forward."

State Rep. Leigh Davis coordinated a business tour with Pleasant and Main Cafe and General Store, Robbie's Community Market, and Butternut Ski Mountain. While downtown, Driscoll also stopped at Robin's Candy and Rob's Records and Audio.

Earlier that day, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $33.5 million in federal CDBG funds at the Housatonic Community Center. Great Barrington, in conjunction with Egremont and Stockbridge, has been allocated $ 1.25 million to rehabilitate approximately 14 housing units. A new Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Community designation for its Housing Choice Initiative was also launched.

Davis emphasized the significance of the state announcing these dollars in the small village of Housatonic.

Craig Bero, founder of Pleasant and Main, prepared desserts and hors d'oeuvres for the group at his cozy cafe across the street from the Housatonic Community Center. Bero opened more than a decade ago after migrating from New York City, and Pleasant and Main offers sustainable, organic meals for an affordable price while enjoying the museum of antiques that is the restaurant.

View Full Story