Common Folk, Multicultural BRIDGE Launch the Arts Hub Fellowships for Artists of Color

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Common Folk and Multicultural BRIDGE announce a new series of artist residency, fellowship, mentorship, and community arts opportunities designed to expand access and investment in Artists of Color throughout Berkshire County.

These new opportunities are supported through the Equity Initiative and Arts Build Community at Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Applications are open now until October 1, 2026 (Extended to Oct. 15).

Visit https://commonfolk.org/bipoc-residency for more details.

Together, the organizations will serve as regional arts hubs, creating new pathways for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) artists to access funding, creative space, mentorship, professional development, and public presentation opportunities.

In North Berkshire County, Common Folk has launched a fellowship program that includes a year-long studio residency for one established Artist of Color, project stipends for emerging artists, and membership for all awardees to Common Folk for a year. Membership to Common Folk includes creative facilities, including screen printing, a darkroom, secondhand art supply resources, communal workspaces, and a newly supported risograph printing program.

Applications opened Sept. 1, 2026, and the deadline to apply is Oct 15.

In South Berkshire County, Multicultural BRIDGE will administer Solidarity Arts Collective project grants to established artists while supporting a larger cohort of emerging artists through workshops, mentorship, open studio opportunities, and culturally grounded community programming. The program will center intergenerational learning, community storytelling, culinary arts, photography, textile traditions, music, land-based practices, landscape design and other forms of cultural expression.

 


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North Adams UNO Art Club Extends Into Year-Round Community Program

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown is expanding the summer program UNO Drop-In Art Club into a weekly, 50-week program for local youth ages 8 to 19, thanks to a new two-year grant from the W.L.S. Spencer Foundation.

Starting Wednesday, Oct. 7, the club reopens its doors at the UNO Community Center (157 River St., North Adams) with extended hours every week from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The UNO Art Club first took root in 2022, founded by local volunteers and supported by the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition as a safe, welcoming space for kids to explore their creativity. In 2024, NBCC sought new partners to keep the program running and joined forces with the Clark and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.

Over the past two summers, staff from all three organizations have guided kids through hands-on projects — from clay sculpture and origami to collage and self-portraiture — often inspired by ongoing exhibitions at the museums. 

Now, with leadership from the Clark, this grant will allow the program to grow, not only with expanded hours and a year-round schedule, but also to support a paid intern to lead the weekly activities.

Additional benefits of the grant: The Clark will provide rides directly from the UNO Community Center so participants can attend major community events, including First Sundays Free and the annual Community Day. Youth will also take field trips to the Clark, Mass MoCA, and neighboring arts venues across the region.

Learn more about the program or get involved here or contact nbCC at 413-663-7588.

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