Berkshire Arts Organizations Gets a Boost from State Funding
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.
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