[Forum] Meeting Notes

Mon Mar 5 15:51:10 EST 2007

Thanks to Veronica for taking notes. 

I would like to make sure that my comments re: Mass MoCA are captured as 
I believe they represent a viewpoint not mentioned in the existing 
notes.  Mass MoCA was VERY supportive of the Open Studios event by 
including it in their fall calendar brochure, by being very receptive to 
working out the "free admission" details even though that was not 
planned, and by mentioning the OS event for a Wall Street Journal 
article.  (On a side note--I spoke with several attendees that weekend 
who came specifically because they read the Wall Street Journal piece).  
MoCA leadership appears to be much more receptive and supportive when 
presented with a specific, detailed and well-organized plan and 
approached with very specific requests.

Thanks,

Kurt

Jane Hudson wrote:
> Veronica Bosley kindly provided these comprehensive notes from the 
> January meeting. There is a lot of content for further discussion.
> Thanks Veronica!!
>
> Meeting notes: submitted by Veronica Bosley
>  
> Recap of January Northern Berkshire Community Coalition meeting abut 
> Artists and Arts Community in the Berkshires
>  
> Intros/those in attendance at meeting and associated occupations & 
> organizations (please excuse any misspellings):
>  
> Jonathan Secor: Director of Special Programs at MCLA
> Dan Field: Artist, Owner of Widgitz
> Noman Thomas: Painter
> Howard Cruse: Cartoonist/Teacher
> Jason Morin: Digital Artist, owner of …
> Kurt Kolok: Owner, Kolok Gallery
> Josh Field: Artist/Graphic Designer
> Mia Singer: Artist
> Zhee Singer: Artist
> Gail Burns: Writer, Theatre Critic (www.gailsez.com 
> <http://www.gailsez.com/>)
> Mark Mulherrin: Artist, Teacher, Writer for iBerkshires
> Sally Sussman: Visual Artist, Teacher
> Leanne Jewett: Writer, Business Owner
> Brian Jewett: Artist
> Sharon Carson: Painter
> Karen Kane: Painter, Writer
> Dianne Sullivan: Artist, Teacher
> Dot Rasbird: Business owner, Teacher, Artist
> John Sherman: Designer, Theater
> Rachel Porter: Ceramicist, Teacher, SVC Coordinator
> Greg Scheckler: Artist, MCLA Professor
> Sandra Thomas: Director of Images Cinema, Willinet, Cultural Council
> Debbie Pendell, painter, printmaker
> Barry Goldstein: Photographer, Teacher
> Glen Shalan: Owner of Stained Glass Studio, MASS MoCA volunteer, 
> Cultural Council, Music Community
> Susan Groves: Berkshire Community College – Visual Arts and Film
> Ed Sedarbaum: NBCC, politics, community organizer
> John Leary: ?
> Veronica Bosley: Program Coordinator, Berkshire Cultural Resource 
> Center, MASS MoCA tour guide, Conference Coordinator at Williams College
> Jane Hudson: Video Atist, Photographer, Teacher, Open Studios Organizer
> Charles Bonenti, Arts Editor/Critic for Berkshire Eagle
> Rob Cubie_____: Artist
> Rebecca DeWitt: Director of Northern Berkshire Community Arts
> Hezzie Phillips: Director, Contemporary Artists Center
> John ____: Artist
> Martha Rose, artists____:
> Some of the issues of interest raised during the introductions:
>
>  
>
> How artists and the arts community can work with the traditions and 
> lifestyles of the already standing general community in order to 
> integrate ourselves?
>
>  
>
> If we have reached some kind of critical mass (which most of us think 
> we have) how can we make the Northern Berkshires an arts destination 
> instead of a community made up of individual studios, galleries, etc.?
>
>  
>
> The arts community needs to come up with a “business plan” with very 
> specific goals and methods to reach those goals in order for any of 
> our ideas to go forward. How can we identify certain goals and areas 
> of interest and then effectively implement those ideas?
>
>  
>
> How can we use local media (t.v., radio, internet) to further our 
> causes/spread word of our events?
>
>  
>
> Is the current artist community of the Northern Berkshires like new 
> immigrants, with separate living areas, separate culture, separate 
> identity from that of the rest of the community?
>
>  
>
> Thoughts on geography of the Berkshires in relation to arts community:
>
>  
>
> Traditionally the Berkshires have been isolated from major cities, 
> etc. Now that is changing due to innovations in technology and 
> communications so that artists can make a living through internet 
> sales/publicity. It makes it possible for a artists to support 
> themselves outside of major urban centers.
>
>  
>
> Role of technology in relation to arts community:
>
>  
>
> There was an overall consensus that technology is now a major part of 
> the arts economy and most artists lives.
>
>  
>
> Jason Morin will be designing this year’s Open Studios webpage
>
>  
>
> Kurt Kolok is currently writing a blog featured on the webpage of the 
> Kolok Gallery, and proposed that we get a list of all arts-related 
> blogs and get them together in one place.
>
>  
>
> Ed Sedarbaum offered to send rounds of e-mails where we can get a 
> comprehensive list of people’s websites who are involved with the 
> local creative community
>
>  
>
> The local access stations will soon have the technology to have 
> streaming video and videos on download.
>
>  
>
>  
>
>  
>
> Politics:
>
>  
>
> Some people want to organize the arts community around particular 
> agendas or issues, as the community has enough members to hold a 
> significant amount of votes in the area
>
>  
>
> Sandra Thomas from Images said that she wants to organize groups of 
> artists to go to the North Adams City Council meetings.
>
>  
>
> People commented that in order to be successful in politics or have 
> political influence in the area artists need to become more involved 
> with community activities, events, politics – we can not just decide 
> to run for a position and win if we are not part of the rest of the 
> community
>
>  
>
> Artists need to come together and organize for a successful political 
> campaign or to hold political power in the area.
>
>  
>
> People also noted that we need to look at the context of the area’s 
> politics – do city council members have any political sway? How likely 
> is it artists can break into the political world, etc? Do we have any 
> influence with city council members?
>
>  
>
> It was stated that we need to actively support those in politics who 
> are supporting us. People like Dan Bosley or Ben Downing, who are 
> supporters of many arts programs and initiatives.
>
>  
>
> Maybe we should invite local officials like Megan Whilden, from the 
> Mayor’s Office in Pittsfield or other local officials (especially 
> those involved with arts and tourist industries) to our meetings.
>
>  
>
> It was concluded that the arts community needs to become involved with 
> the local community, we need to get people with connections in various 
> local institutions, etc.
>
>  
>
> MASS MoCA:
>
>  
>
> People mentioned that the arts community is paternalistic, and MASS 
> MoCA is the type of world-class arts institution that should be having 
> a “trickle-down” effect.
>
>  
>
> It was suggested that MASS MoCA should be more supportive of local 
> artists by having a gallery or some sort of space dedicated to the 
> exhibition of local artwork.
>
>  
>
> There seemed to be a general consensus that MASS MoCA could be doing 
> more to support the local arts community and the creative economy – 
> particularly in relation to smaller non-profits and individual artists.
>
>  
>
> Some people suggested that we should entirely forget about MASS MoCA 
> and try to operate autonomously, and others argued that this is 
> impossible, as the arts community is located here because of MASS MoCA 
> and other similar, large institutions.
>
>  
>
> How artists can become more connected (public forums and physical 
> locations):
>
>  
>
> ArtStart (www.berkshireartstart.org 
> <http://www.berkshireartstart.org/>) Offers open forum for artists, 
> announcements, arts calendars
>
>  
>
> “Drinking Liberally” – North Adams Chapter (www.drinkingliberally.org 
> <http://www.drinkingliberally.org/>), a place to get together and talk 
> politics over a few drinks.
>
>  
>
> Going to local bars or other public spaces that the rest of the 
> community frequents ie: Freightyard Pub.
>
>  
>
> Organizing “mixers” where arts community can get to know one another – 
> Jonathan Secor offered Gallery 51 as a site for one of these 
> gatherings. The gallery also has openings the last Thursday of every 
> month.
>
>  
>
> Ed Sedarbaum mentioned a monthly “Second-Sunday Potluck for the 
> Creatively Afflicted” -- he will invite everyone on the artist list-serve.
>
>  
>
> Misc:
>
>  
>
> Howard Cruse is going to start a Zine called the “North County Perk” 
> and will be looking for cartooning, writing, etc. You can get info on 
> this at www.howardcruse.com <http://www.howardcruse.com/> , and 
> Howard’s e-mail address is on there as well.
>
>  
>
>  
>
>
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>
>
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>
>
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