Williamstown — What is ArtCountry? Is it just another nickname for the “cultural Berkshires”? No. ArtCountry is both a geographical area — encompassing northern Berkshire County and southern Vermont — and a consortium of five arts organizations located thereabouts: the Clark Art Institute, the Williams College Museum of Art, the Bennington Museum, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Most of these venerable institutions have been known to Berkshire County households since the days of Noah (or a little later in the case of MASS MoCA). They announce their summer offerings every year around this time.
So what is actually new about ArtCountry in 2018? Quite a bit: discounts on admissions, package deals with three local hotels — Tourists and the Porches Inn at MASS MoCA in North Adams, and the Williams Inn in Williamstown — and discounted purchases at the WCMA gift shop. The savings are significant:
- The ArtCountry Summer Pass ($50), new in 2018, includes discounted museum admissions, a 20 percent WCMA gift shop discount and discounted ticket prices for Williamstown Theatre Festival. Valid from June 1 through Labor Day.
- The four-way museum ticket ($40) provides discounted admissions to the museums and a 20 percent WCMA gift shop discount. Valid throughout the year.
- The three-way ticket ($30) includes discounted tickets to the Clark and MASS MoCA and a 20 percent WCMA gift shop discount. Valid throughout the year.
In addition to the various discounts and package deals, the Clark, MASS MoCA and Bennington Museum will make their regularly priced single-day tickets valid for two consecutive days.
Tickets are available on site at each of the ArtCountry venues and through the lodging partners. For full details, visit artcountry.org.
