Crandell Theatre awarded a grant of $40,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts
Chatham, N.Y.— The Crandell Theatre is pleased to announce it has been awarded a grant of $40,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the nonprofit arts and culture sector.
Executive Director of NYSCA Erika Mallin said, “On behalf of the Council and staff, I am so proud that we are supporting the critical work of so many nonprofit organizations all across the state, including the work of The Crandell Theatre. New York State’s art and culture nonprofits make us a global leader, strengthening our connections to each other and the larger world. I thank you for your dedication and service and look forward to all your work in the coming year.”
The $40,000 grant will support the Crandell’s off-site programming during the theater’s temporary closure and regular programming when the cinema reopens in 2025. To learn more about Crandell construction updates and off-site programming while the theater is closed for renovation, visit https://crandelltheatre.org/construction-update-newsletter/.
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Flying Cloud receives $8,000 matching challenge
Great Barrington— Flying Cloud Institute has received an $8,000 Matching Challenge Gift from a summer camp family. This will allow donations received by Flying Cloud on Giving Tuesday, which is December 3rd, to be doubled, up to $8,000.
The funds raised will enable Flying Cloud to run its innovative science and art programs at two local Berkshire County schools, offering in-school science residencies and after school workshops to area youth.
Flying Cloud educators will lead project-based investigations and model the Next Generation Science Strategies for inquiry-based learning. They will bring local STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) professionals as expert resources to the classroom, along with local artists who help students express their learning through original, creative work such as sculpture, dance, poetry, painting or film.
To donate to the matching challenge, visit flyingcloudinstitute.org on December 3, 2024.
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Norman Rockwell Museum launches award-winning nationwide virtual field trip program
Stockbridge— The Norman Rockwell Museum (NRM) is pleased to announce the launch of its innovative Virtual Field Trip (VFT) Imagining Freedom, designed to bring art and civic education directly to students and teachers nationwide.
Leveraging advanced interactive technology, the program delivers an engaging virtual museum experience, showcasing Norman Rockwell’s iconic works and significant American illustration art alongside the Museum’s rich educational resources—all digitally accessible to classrooms across the country. The Virtual Field Trip is available to educators and schools free of charge thanks to the generosity of dedicated funders.
The program has garnered significant education industry recognition, earning the prestigious Anthem Award for Education, Art & Culture – Digital & Innovative Experiences. The Museum’s VFT program recently received the prestigious Bronze Anthem Award for its innovative Virtual Exhibit/Virtual Field Trip experience. The Anthem Awards, a subset of the Webby Awards, celebrate purpose-driven work on digital platforms and recognize those who use technology to inspire positive global change. The Museum’s recognition in the AWARENESS: Digital & Innovative Experiences category comes amid notable competition from prominent organizations such as the National Holocaust Museum, Sesame Workshop, the Kennedy Center, and PBS.
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Berkshire Natural Resources Council welcomes Emily Daunis as New Director of Advancement
Lenox— Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Emily Daunis as the organization’s new Director of Advancement.
With a robust background spanning over 15 years in strategic fundraising, major donor development, and building inclusive philanthropic programs, Daunis will lead BNRC’s fundraising and engagement initiatives to support its mission of land conservation and access to nature in the Berkshires.
In her most recent role as Director of Development at Berkshire United Way, Emily played a key part in advancing the organization’s revenue goals by conducting new sponsorship initiatives and engagement strategies. Her extensive background also includes fundraising roles at prominent regional institutions such as the Clark Art Institute, MASS MoCA, and UMASS Amherst.
Emily, an active member of the local community, holds leadership roles in North Adams, including serving as an elected member of the North Adams Public School Committee. In her new role at BNRC, she will continue her commitment to fostering a culture of philanthropy that is inclusive and rooted in the local community.
“Joining BNRC is an opportunity to help conserve the landscapes that mean so much to everyone in Berkshire County,” said Emily. “I look forward to collaborating with the dedicated team, board of directors, volunteers, and supporters who care so deeply about protecting natural resources. Together we can make an impact that lasts generations.”
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PS21’s Elena Siyanko to step down
Chatham, N.Y.— Elena Siyanko, inaugural Executive and Artistic Director of PS21: Center for Contemporary Performance, will leave the organization in December 2024, after more than five years of groundbreaking leadership.
PS21 Board Co-Chairs Alice Kocis and Louis Hedgecock praised Siyanko’s achievements: “Over five seasons, Elena took PS21’s new state-of-the-art theater and transformed it into a year-round hive of innovative creation and performance of world-class music, dance, theater, contemporary circus, visual and multimedia arts, and community programming with 27 regional partner organizations.”
Siyanko brought more than 80 productions to PS21, by artists representing 15 countries. She produced multidisciplinary projects and performances in public spaces, curated over 220 events, established collaborations with regional, national, and international organizations, and hosted over 30 artists residencies in dance, music, contemporary performance, and theater. PS21 is now recognized as a sought-after incubator for local and national artists developing new work free of distractions.
Under her leadership, between 2019 and 2024, PS21’s operating budget doubled. She secured crucial foundation, international and US government grants, including the theater’s first NEA grant and New York State Council on the Arts facility grants of $300,000 for improvements to the Pavilion Theater and renovation of the Artists Residence.
Siyanko is proudest of PS21’s PATHWAYS initiative, which under her leadership expanded access to the arts through free programming in partnership with organizations throughout Columbia County and beyond. “Our collaborators include more than two dozen local and regional partners, ranging from organizations serving at-risk youth to environmental groups, town governments, and others, visionary artists who make intimate contact with audiences in schools, churches, libraries, city parks, village streets, farms, and parking lots. PATHWAYS is a counterweight to the restrictive, cost-prohibitive paradigm that is the rule throughout the country.”
About her tenure at PS21, Siyanko said, “I have enjoyed the opportunity to revitalize the arts in the Hudson Valley with the spirit of new ideas that are enriching the cultural lives of people from many walks of life, and now it’s time for me to explore new opportunities.”
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MountainOne’s Mountaineer volunteers pack meals for Thanksgiving Angels
Berkshire— MountainOne’s Mountaineer volunteers rolled up their sleeves to help pack 2,200 bags of Thanksgiving essentials—milk, eggs, cheese, butter, and pie—for the annual Thanksgiving Angels distribution. This initiative ensures that Berkshire County families can celebrate a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
In addition to lending their time, MountainOne contributed a $2,500 donation to support the program. MountainOne is also proud to sponsor the annual MountainOne Thankful 5K, which extends our commitment to addressing food insecurity beyond Thanksgiving. Last year, the event raised over $16,000 for local food pantries, and we look forward to seeing what year’s race will achieve.
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Heirlooms Jewelry in Stockbridge under new management
Stockbridge— One of Berkshire County’s longest standing independent jewelry stores, Heirlooms Jewelry in Stockbridge, will be under new management starting January 1st.
Long time owners of the much loved boutique shop in downtown Stockbridge, Robin Fleet and Phil Coleman, are retiring, while new owners Ella and Shaun Hall and family are very excited about the opportunity to continue a 54 year tradition of local ownership.
