[Forum] Let's kick off some discussion--What does the North Adams arts community need?

[Kurt Kolok]

At the recent North Adams "Arts Forum" meeting some general concerns and 
needs were raised at a somewhat high level including the list below  
(feel free to add to this list):

I think it's important that we capture comments from any and all on this 
list about what we all see as specific "needs" to add as sub-bullets to 
the topics below or as additional topics to flesh out.  I'd suggest that 
we use this initial round of discussion to outline the needs 
specifically before we begin talking about possible solutions or means 
of achieving the desired result.  I'll gladly compile all of this 
feedback into a single document which I'll then forward to the list so 
we may begin discussing how we might address these and what specific 
actions we can take to achieve our desired goal. 

Please add your topic and any sub-bullets for either your own topic or 
any others raised on this thread to the list I've started below.  This 
exercise is meant to literally record any and all needs seen by any 
member of this list and I would encourage each of you to add your own 
thoughts and also to add on to others' ideas as you see new 
ideas/concerns being raised.  We may have some solutions already in 
motion (Berkshire Cultural Resource Center for example), but it will 
certainly help to voice all of our concerns/needs/wishes.  I've started 
us off with the following topics and a few bullets as I see them. 


Create a social network of arts folks in the area
--need to know who makes up our local arts community and what they bring 
to the table
--need to create a strong bond between the arts community members and 
the members of the North Adams community as a whole
--need to help make this "new" arts movement a fun thing for North 
Adams--not something to fear or dread
--need to add energy to our ideas and goals
--need to create a strong network for collaboration, referral, and 
overall support of each other's livelihoods
--need to create a network of volunteer and non-volunteer talents for 
pulling together activities and events

Making sure the NA arts community's voices are represented within local 
government

Creating a shared vision of what we would all like to see in a 
successful, supportive, collaborative environment while making room for 
independent views and goals
--need to corral all of our strengths, talents and ideas into a strong, 
respected voice in the North Adams community
--need to avoid duplication in efforts and turn ideas into action

Looking to our successes and shortcomings in order to learn how we can 
make various events even more successful and engaging
--need to make each event easier and easier to pull off by avoiding 
ineffective measures and mistakes
--need to capitalize on what we know works and continually build and 
expand our vision and goals

Building/implementing a support system and tools for those in the local 
arts community
--need to create a strong network for collaboration, referral, and 
overall support of each other's livelihoods
--need to create a network of volunteer and non-volunteer talents for 
pulling together activities and events
--need to offer resources to area artists and art businesses

Regards,

Kurt

-- 
Kurt Kolok
Owner/Director
Kolok Gallery
121 Union Street, 1e
North Adams, MA 01247
+1 413 664 7381
kurt at kolokgallery.com
www.kolokgallery.com