Berkshire Museum

North Adams, and Mass MoCA now celebrating its 10th anniversary, have come a long way from rock bottom when Sprague Electric left town, during the 13 terms of Mayor John Barrett, Jr. For the first time in 26 years Barrett has a tough opponent in Dick Albombright. Some 800 plus turned out for a spaghetti dinner fundraiser last week. It's shaping up to be a tight race.

When General Electric moved out in the late 1980s, with 10,000 lost jobs, Pittsfield fell on hard times. The recovery started in 2003 when the new Mayor, James M. Ruberto, mandated that arts and culture would be a focus for economic development. Megan Whilden disussed how she joined the team in 2005 and the remarkable progress since then that has reshaped the city as a cultural destination.

Here's your weekly guide to the top events happening in and around the Berkshires with more than a dozen exciting and fascinating offerings for you to choose from.

Did you know that frogs are older and outlived dinosaurs? There is a lot most of us don't know about the curious crittiers other than having cut one up in a high school biology class. The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield will tell you all about the fascinating creatures in an exhibition that will be fun for the whole family.

Despite a drastic 20% budget cut Kate Maguire, the artistic director and CEO of Berkshire Theatre Festival is excitied about the coming season and the return of Randy Harrison in Ibsen's "Ghosts." During an upbeat interview she stated that "I'm not a director. I love directors. I'm married to one (Eric Hill). I love directing directors and I wanted to build a director's theatre."

This past weekend provided a perfect Spring Break from the monotony of the Berkshire mud season. With offerings of comedy and drama, high art and low, these were the first tender shoots of the Berkshire's bountiful season that is preparing to burst into bloom.

Today marks the 33rd anniversary of the Greasepaint Treaty of 1976, signed in Pittsfield, which marked the end of the Clown Wars, the catastrophic conflict between clowns and mimes that began in the 1960s. A multi-faceted Fools Festival will be held April 1-5 throughout Pittsfield to mark the event.

Stuart Chase, the director of the 106 year old Berkshire Mueum in Pittsfield discusses the recently completed $10 million renovation that was "on time and within budget." He also deaccessioned three paintings by the Russian, Grigoriev, that added $7 million for future acquisitions. Not bad during these hard times.

With $4 a gallon gas and a sinking economy 2008 was a challenge for arts and tourism in the Berkshires. But our contibutors covered not only the Berkshires but arts and culture in New York, Boston, London, New Orleans and Shanghai. We reflect on some of the highlights.

In addition to the 120 images in "Liu Zheng: The Chinese" the curator, John Stomberg, has installed selections from related book projects from the 19th century through today.

The beginning of winter is marked by theatre, music and dance throughout the world, but perhaps nowhere is it more heartfelt than here in the Berkshires. This Thanksgiving let us give thanks to our arts community and then get out and enjoy their offerings. Your guide awaits.

Sting worked with the artist Stephen Hannock to create something unique for his hometown of Newcastle. It was more a collaboration than a commission.

A perfect storm of cool, rainy weather, $4 a gallon gas, and a lousy economy caused the coining of a new term "Staycation" during the summer of 2008. While clearly an off year Berkshire arts and tourism held their own largely through its range of world class offerings.

Part One: Use this handy guide to Berkshire museum discounts, and you can enjoy the same wonderful attractions that draw tens of thousands of people to our region each summer.

Another opening, another show as the theater season shifts into high gear. Last minute casting news and scheduling changes to keep you up to date.

Not only does I Am My Own Wife launch the season for the Barrington Stage Company this is also the first productionn in its new Second Stage in downtown Pittsfield. This is the first of three reports on a remarkable peformance by Vince Gatton.

Every Third Thursday of the month there is a celebration in downtown Pittsfield, in the heart of the Berkshires.

While not a "best" and "worst" list in the usual sense we offer an overview of events and what proved to be moving and insightful while covering the arts in 2007.

In the Holiday spirit here is an overview of what is going on in Berkshire galleries focusing on Pittsfield, North Adams and Lenox. Sure to be fun for the whole family.

The array of holiday treats taking place in the Berkshires has grown, and is more eclectic than ever.

Following a successful summer season that doubled the audience and revenue of the previous year Barrington Stage Company has launched a fall season in Pittsfield.

Now in its fifth season in Hudson New York the Nicole Fiacco gallery was founded with a mandate to present Native American art.

In addition to a gallery in Lenox, primarily focused on ceramic art, Leslie Ferrin has just opened a large new space in Pittsfield. Is this further evidence of the development of the Northern Berkshire city as a viable arts center?

Over the busy Memorial Day weekend the arts were officially launched with overlapping openings all over the Berkshires. We opted to covering the events in North Adams.

The current exhibition at the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park in posh, Lincoln, Mass. is more fun than a barrel of monkeys.