Berkshire Art Center Builds on Pittsfield Initiatives with Expanded Community Access

Stockbridge, MA — September 16, 2025 — Berkshire Art Center (BAC), the region’s leading nonprofit visual arts education organization – with its primary location in Stockbridge, MA – today announced that it will transition out of its small annex at the Brothership Building on North Street in Pittsfield, MA. The decision reflects BAC’s commitment to strengthening its long-term impact and deepening how it serves the community through expanded scholarships, partnerships, and new flexible programs.

While the Pittsfield studio space will close, BAC emphasizes that it is not pulling back from the city. Instead, the organization is reimagining how it engages the community in more sustainable and collaborative ways. Plans are underway to expand pop-up programming and partnerships with schools, cultural institutions, artists, and local organizations throughout the city.

Looking ahead, BAC is developing a reimagined approach to community engagement across the Berkshires, combining flexible programming with innovative partnerships. Under new leadership, the vision is to expand access to high-quality visual arts experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds, positioning BAC as a place where creativity not only lives, but thrives in new and unexpected ways.

“Berkshire Art Center remains deeply committed to Pittsfield,” said Laura Thompson, Executive Director of BAC. “This change allows us to focus resources where they make the most difference and to bring art experiences directly into the community. By expanding scholarships, transportation support, and partnerships, we can better respond to the needs of Pittsfield residents and ensure that more people have meaningful opportunities to engage with the visual arts.”

That commitment is already reflected in action, by making programming accessible at Citizens’ Hall, BAC’s 1870 schoolhouse in Stockbridge. Earlier this summer, BAC received support from the Mass Cultural Council to provide scholarships and transportation reimbursements for Pittsfield students to attend April camp. Ongoing partnerships with Berkshire Bank, Lee Bank, and Greylock Federal Credit Union have enabled the center to offer scholarships for adults and children to participate in studio classes. Additionally, BAC is grateful to the Pittsfield City School District for welcoming BAC’s teaching artists back into its afterschool programs—a partnership that has thrived for over 18 years.

BAC will also continue to offer its robust range of classes, workshops, and events at its Stockbridge campus and other strategic locations, ensuring that Pittsfield residents have multiple pathways to engage with the arts. More details about expanded Pittsfield programming will be announced later this year.

For updates on upcoming programs and opportunities to participate, visit www.berkshireartcenter.org.

About Berkshire Art Center

Berkshire Art Center (formerly IS183 Art School) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible visual arts education and experiences for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. With its main campus in Stockbridge, MA, BAC nurtures creativity, builds community, and fosters lifelong engagement with the arts across the Berkshires.

Media Contact:
Laura Thompson, EdD
Executive Director
Berkshire Art Center
413-298-5252
laura@berkshireartcenter.org