[Forum] MCC Director in the Berkshires

[Sandra Thomas, Images Cinema]

I will most likely be attending -- perhaps we could organize a NoCo car pool.

Sandra

******

MCC Summer Tour:

Meet Anita Walker, new Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council

Please join Jacob's Pillow and Massachusetts Cultural Council for a
lively lunch conversation about how we can work together to position
arts and culture at the center of efforts to stimulate the economy,
improve education, and enhance the quality of life in our communities
– Monday, June 4 at noon. Anita Walker, the newly appointed Executive
Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), and other senior
agency leaders are eager to meet with organizations from Berkshire
County.

The MCC is a state agency that promotes excellence, access, education
and diversity in the arts, humanities, and sciences to improve the
quality of life for all Massachusetts residents and contribute to the
economic vitality of our communities. In April, the MCC Board voted
unanimously to select Walker to head MCC. She formerly served as
director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, where she led
"Imagine Iowa 2010: A Cultural Vision," a grassroots, 10-year plan for
fostering arts and culture in that state.

The MCC and the Massachusetts Advocates for Arts, Sciences, and
Humanities (MAASH) are advocating for deeper investments in arts and
culture in the state budget for the coming fiscal year, which begins
July 1. The Massachusetts House and Senate have agreed to small
increases for the MCC, bringing the agency's budget to $12.3 million.
In addition, the House has proposed $10 million for a second year of
funding for the Cultural Facilities Fund while the Senate has agreed
to a much smaller figure of $1.23 million.

We hope you can join us for lunch on Monday, June 4 to acquaint Anita
with the cultural life of Berkshire County. Lunch is available for
purchase from the Pillow (details below), or you are welcome to bring
a brown bag lunch. Beverages will be available.

The Pillow is happy to provide a box lunch to those who would like to
purchase it for $20. The lunch includes a choice of sandwich, bottle
of water, a side salad, fresh fruit, and a cookie. If you would like
to order a lunch, please send an email to rdinerman at jacobspillow.org
by May 31, indicating sandwich choice:

    * Tuna on rye with lettuce and tomato,
    * Turkey with boursin on a ciabatta roll,
    * Vegetarian Tuscan wrap (cannallini spread, grilled zucchini, and
blackened tomatoes).

Jacob's Pillow is located at 358 George Carter Road in Becket.
Directions can be found online at
http://www.jacobspillow.org/home/directions.asp.

Please let us know if you will be able to attend the lunch
conversation by contacting Erin Haran at erin.haran at state.ma.us or
617-727-3668 x 268. Feel free to invite other staff or board members
from your organization to join us.

Sincerely,

Ella Baff
Executive Director, Jacob's Pillow

&

Anita Walker
Executive Director, Massachusetts Cultural Council

-- 
Sandra Thomas
Executive Director
Images Cinema
50 Spring Street | PO Box 283
Williamstown, MA 01267
413.458.1039 office / fax
413.458.5612 movie line
www.imagescinema.org