Pittsfield Cultural Council Seeks Applications for FY2027 Grants

07:13AM / Monday, August 24, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Cultural Council (PCC) will accept applications for 2027 Mass Cultural Council (MCC) grants from Sept. 1 through Oct. 15, 2026.

The PCC invites artists, musicians, performers, educators, community groups, non-profits, and others to apply for grants to support art shows, concerts, performances, workshops, lectures, short-term artist residencies in schools, and other community programs.

Applications for 2027 must be submitted only through the MCC website (not by mail or email) beginning on Sept. 1. Deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 15. No late applications will be accepted.

The PCC will vote on applications in open meetings in the fall of 2026 and notify successful recipients by mid-January 2027.

"In evaluating applications for 2027, the PCC will give highest priority to proposals for free community events and programs, as well those with a clear purpose, confirmed dates and venues, and the potential to reach the greatest number of Pittsfield residents," said PCC Chair Marilyn Gerhard.

The PCC funded 48 projects in 2026.

To apply and learn more about grant requirements, visit the PCC home page on the MCC website. The MCC will hold a free online information session to walk potential applicants through the LCC application process on Sept. 10, 2026, at 6 p.m. Pre-registration is required.

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Hinsdale Considers Switching Dispatch Centers Amid Response Time Concerns

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:12AM / Monday, August 24, 2026

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has experienced longer emergency response times since the Dalton Police Department suspended its mutual aid agreement with Hinsdale. Now, Hinsdale is considering suspending its use of Dalton's Communication Center.

During the Hinsdale Select Board meeting on Aug. 12, board member Margaret Gregory raised concerns about the department's response times, recounting an incident the previous Sunday when she called police at about 9:51 p.m. but did not see a state trooper arrive until approximately 10:45 p.m.

"We're here to protect the town and make sure we're getting the aid that we need. That did not happen," she said in a follow-up with the media.

Now word has gotten to Dalton that Hinsdale's department has requested to withdraw from the Dalton Communication Center and use the Berkshire Regional Emergency Communications Center instead.

Dalton Town Manager Eric Anderson informed Dalton's Select Board that he heard indirectly from the state's communications center of Hinsdale's request and that there will be a meeting with the E911 system and all parties sometime later in September.

In order for Hinsdale to switch to the state call center, the town would have to obtain funding to ensure the town's equipment works with the state's.

During Hinsdale's August meeting, Gregory told Peru Police Chief Bruce Cullett that she is concerned with how Dalton's dispatch is relaying information to the state, citing that calls from multiple people about shots fired shouldn't be an hour wait.

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