[Forum] Meeting Notes

Mon Mar 5 18:23:55 EST 2007

Yes, thank you, indeed, Veronica, for taking such careful notes. And for doing the work of organizing them so coherently.

One direct result of the meeting  -- and an apparently successful one -- is this very list-serve we are communicating on. I've received a number of worthwhile notices, and so far we haven't fallen into any argumentation. That's great.

Here's my question: Do folks want to continue these "conversations"? If so, should they be organized around a theme, or should we just go around the room again and see what the consensus topic happens to be that night?

I'd be happy to take a hand in pulling together the next conversation, assuming someone would share the load. We would need a place to hold it. (The mill was a great space, but I don't live there, so I can't very well volunteer it.) And really, that's about all.

My impulse is not to demand too much formal organizing of people in order to make this happen. The Open Studio planning has just begun (thank you, Sharon), and that might be a more important recipient of people's organizing energy. But getting together to talk? That should be easy, and we can see where it goes from there.

I don't want to speak for other people, so if people have other suggestions about what to do about our conversations -- including dump them -- let's all put our ideas out there and see what takes hold of people's imagination.

Ed
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jane Hudson 
  To: FORUM 
  Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 3:03 PM
  Subject: [Forum] Meeting Notes

  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)
  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) Offers open forum for artists, announcements, arts calendars

  �

  �Drinking Liberally� � North Adams Chapter (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 , and Howard�s e-mail address is on there as well.

  �

  �

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  http://officialjeffandjane.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  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)
  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) Offers open forum for artists,  
  announcements, arts calendars

  “Drinking Liberally” – North Adams Chapter  
  (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 , and Howard’s e-mail address is  
  on there as well.

  http://officialjeffandjane.com

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