(GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.) – Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center has been awarded a $100,000 capital grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Cultural Facilities Fund in conjunction with MassDevelopment. This grant requires a 100 percent match, meaning the Mahaiwe must raise one dollar for every dollar granted. The funds will support important safety upgrades, chimney repair, painting and woodwork repairs, as well as badly needed sound and lighting equipment for the range of performances the theater now presents.
“We are very appreciative of the leadership of Governor Deval Patrick, as well as the Berkshire legislators, State Senator Ben Downing and State Representative Smitty Pignatelli in particular, for their support of the Cultural Facilities Fund initiative,” said Mahaiwe executive director Beryl Jolly. “The Mahaiwe Theater’s historic restoration began ten years ago and this significant capital grant will allow that beautiful project to be maintained and enhanced for the benefit of the Berkshire community and its visitors.”
The Mahaiwe’s grant was part of $1.45 million in new Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF) grants for arts, history, and science organizations across western Massachusetts. The grants were made possible by a $7 million bond authorization by Governor Deval Patrick. These capital funds fuel the growth of Massachusetts’ dynamic nonprofit cultural sector, allowing for expansions, upgrades, and repairs to some of the nation’s most cherished institutions. The Patrick administration just announced an additional $5 million appropriation for CFF, raising to $50.5 million the total invested in this national model program over the past five years.
To learn more about the Mahaiwe facilities repair and upgrade work to take place, or to donate towards this specific initiative, contact Deb Rathbun, Mahaiwe development manager, at 413-644-9040 x106
Located in downtown Great Barrington, the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center is the leading year-round presenter of music, dance, theater, classic films, “Live in HD” broadcasts, and arts education programs for the southern Berkshires and neighboring regions. The intimate theater opened in 1905 and has been in continuous operation for over 100 years. In 2005, the theater experienced a renaissance as a beautifully restored 681-seat venue with year-round cultural and community events. Today’s “Mahaiwe Mix” of diverse world-class programming provides meaningful, memorable entertainment for all ages and interests. For tickets and information, visit Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center or call 413.528.0100.
The Massachusetts Cultural Council is a state agency supporting the arts, humanities, and sciences to improve the quality of life in Massachusetts and its communities. The MCC pursues this mission through of grants, services, and advocacy for nonprofit cultural organizations, schools, communities, and artists.
MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development authority, works with businesses, nonprofits, and local, state, and federal officials and agencies to create jobs, increase the number of housing units, eliminate blight, and address the overreaching challenges that limit economic growth, such as transportation, energy, and other infrastructure deficiencies.