Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Becket, MA.
by Mark G. Auerbach
The Baker-Polito Administration and Massachusetts Cultural Council announced $9.3 million in new awards from Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF), celebrating over $100 million in total cultural sector investments since the fund was established ten years ago. An additional $10 million in funding was included in the Baker-Polito Administration’s Fiscal Year 2018 Capital Budget Plan released last week.
“Massachusetts and its communities share a rich history and diverse culture that benefit residents and attract visitors from around the nation and the world,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These investments in our communities local strengths and landmarks, drive growth in tourism, jobs and our economy across the Commonwealth.”
Over $100 million in CFF awards since 2007 have supported 772 building projects in the nonprofit arts, sciences and humanities, with total development costs of $2.6 billion, driving cultural tourism, job growth, and community vitality in cities and towns across Massachusetts. Over ten years CFF-funded projects have supported 8,512 full time jobs and $492 million in wages, employed 23,778 architects, engineers, contractors, and construction workers, and created 2,092 new permanent jobs.
Easthampton Media space in Eastworks.
“These awards help cities, towns and their nonprofit partners restore and preserve culturally and historically significant sites that provide educational opportunities to visitors and local families,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We are excited the administration can support these public and private partnerships to bolster community and economic development.”
Several Western Massachusetts non-profits were recipients of funding from this initiative, most for capital projects.
Berkshire Pulse, Inc. in Housatonic, a dance school and company, received $84,000 to convert a freight elevator into an ADA compliant lift. The Bidwell House in Monterey received $125,000 for accessibility enhancements and the structural preservation of the historic home. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst was granted $52,000 for lighting upgrades.
CitySpace in Easthampton was granted $135,000 to renovate the Old Town Hall’s second floor theatre. Williamstown’s received $225,000 for terrace design, HVAC and roof replacements. Ashfield’s Double Edge Theatre was funded $140,000 to renovate and expand farm buildings to include an artist studio, a lighting and electrics workshop and a kitchen.
Easthampton Media will receive $172,000 to construct a media center to house digital storytelling events, performances, and arts programming. Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Becket has been awarded $225,000 for studio construction.
The Mahaiwe Center for the Performing Arts in Great Barrington
The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington received $65,000 for lobby renovations. The New Marlborough Village Association will make exterior renovations to its historic meeting house with $27,000 in funding. Holyoke’s La Finca at Nuestras Raices, was granted $194,000 to renovate, repair, and and expand its facilities. The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge will make interior repairs and HVAC replacement with its $125,000 grant.
Ventfort Hall Association in Lenox received $125,000 for repairs. The West Stockbridge Historical Society was awarded $90,000 for expansion and accessibility renovations, and Lenox’s Edith Wharton Restoration was granted .$124,000 for restorations of The Terrace at The Mount.
One WMass non-profit, The Drama Studio in Springfield was funded $30,000 for a feasibility study to determine renovations options to its 100+ year old facility.
For details on the projects funded: http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/facilities/facilities_fundinglist.htm.
