Kids 4 Harmony

A free intensive classical musical program for youth in Pittsfield and North Adams.  Inspired by El Sistema model of music for social justice change, Kids 4 Harmony focuses on musical excellence to grow skills and confidence, engage families, and build community.

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Rap, Inc. 

Rap Inc. is a new youth development pilot program using the art and business of hip-hop music to draw upon and develop the talents and interests of young people – particularly young people of color,  as a way to build greater self-sufficiency. Rap Inc. provides young people with a true-to-life laboratory to acquire and grow the skills involved in the field of hip-hop music, to help overcome the life challenges, which so often stop them from reaching for and achieving their own visions for their lives. With a design specifically for teens, and by drawing upon an art form that is born of African-American culture and embraced by young people, the program engages them in a process of learning industry skills and applying those skills to launching a rapper and producing a showcase performance.

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18 Degrees youth programs are open to students in all Berkshire County districts.

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CONTACT: Trevor Wheelock, 413-597-1259

Young Artist POP Theater 

The Play mindset allows us to have an evolving mindset. Throughout these play sessions we will explore theater through B4 The Other’s POP (Pedagogy Of Play). B4 The Other's work is enriched with social emotional learning and trauma informed care developed from over a decade of community outreach. Sessions run throughout the year over 7 week courses and weeklong camps.

 

Pedagogy of Play: Options & Opportunities  B4 The Other Creations strives to build stronger communities by holding space for a universal experience through the Pedagogy of Play. Changing the language to change the story by deep diving into the core values of effort, choice, buoyancy, generosity, and vulnerability. Paving a path of Vibrational Activism in our everyday world. This seven week courses is for adults looking for embodied professional development and accountable community. POP happens through zoom for seven week sessions, meeting on Sunday evenings.

 

Play Filled Leadership and Mindfulness building in the Work Place  B4 The Other leads teams, staff, administration in one off and weeklong residencies to further play, leadership, and mindfulness in the workplace.

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CONTACT: Malia'Kekia Niccolini, 352-584-7460

KidsAct!

KidsAct! is an exciting theatre program for students ages 7–11, which is focused on building acting and communication skills through fun theatre games. Students will create an original musical with their peers to be performed on the final day of the program. Students will also experience master classes from professional theatre and performing artists!

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TeensAct!

TeensAct! is a beloved theatre program, designed for ages 12–14, which is focused on building performance skills through ensemble-based work, improvisation, and individualized coaching. Students will create an original musical with their peers to be performed on the final day of the program. Students will also experience master classes from professional theatre and performing artists! 

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Barrington Stage Company's education programs have reached students in the following districts:

• Pittsfield Public Schools

• Mount Greylock Regional School District

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CONTACT: Jane O'Leary, 413-997-6117

BAC's After-School & Out-of-School Art Programs
BAC ensures that people throughout the county have access to hands-on experience in the visual arts. Our programs for young artists in the schools use two curricula - Learning Through Arts and ARTcentric: Berkshires - to bring the studio art experience directly to the desk of Berkshire County's students.

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Learning Through Arts
BAC's LTA program is an approach to arts integration that makes connections across multiple, rigorous disciplines while teaching conflict resolution and social emotional skills. It uses art-making as a tool to improve academics and behavior, while allowing students to make interdisciplinary connections, experiment with new mediums, and learn advanced art techniques. LTA students have the freedom to experiment with advanced art techniques and mediums, create unique work, and find their voice, while reinforcing academic curriculum goals. Student artists explore new ways of looking at and responding to the world around them and learn skills that resonate long after they have left the program.

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ARTcentric:Berkshires
Berkshire Art Center's ARTcentric: Berkshires program positions local, established, Berkshire artists as “the masters” with each project inspired by their techniques and artistic visions. Through "Artist Spotlight" handouts, "About the Artist" and "Deep Dive" videos, and other live, video-based, and virtual resources, students will dive into the life and work of each artist and use their passion and mastery as inspiration for engaging, multi-media art projects. Led by IS183's talented faculty Artists, in ARTcentric: Berkshires, students will be introduced to artists, virtually "visit" their studios, hear about their journey to become professional artists, and finally create work using the same techniques. Students will assign a deeper meaning to the art they see in the county and develop a pride of place as they learn about the talent in our region. The program gives new definitions to “artists” and “art”, takes artists out of history books, and opens up possibilities for future careers.

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Berkshire Art Center has reached students in the following districts (Spring 2022 programs starred):
- Pittsfield Public Schools*
- Southern Berkshire Regional School District*
- Central Berkshire Regional School District*
- North Adams Public Schools
- Berkshire Hills Regional School District
- Lenox Public Schools
- Lee Public Schools*
- Mount Greylock Regional School District
- Montessori School of the Berkshires*
- Richmond Consolidated School*

 

CONTACT: Brielle Rizzotti, 413-298-5252 x102

In-School Programs

In-school/afterschool programs: Introduction to Dance; Cultural Traditions: The Music and Dance of Africa; Math and Drumming; Breaking for Beginners; Moving Life Stories

Berkshire Pulse’s In-School Programs recognize the importance of creative learning and its ability to bring dynamism to the learning process while helping children uncover their hidden talents, find their voice, and build strength and confidence. Research validates that students with high levels of arts engagement from kindergarten through elementary school show higher test scores than students with lower levels of arts engagement over the same period.

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Arts education that specifically involves dance and assists in the development of specific skills like physical coordination, interpersonal communication, rhythm and related math skills, and multicultural awareness. The physical exercises involved in dance stimulate mental alertness, attention to detail, and memorization skills. Through dance, students learn important skills, like how to pick up new ideas quickly, to pay attention to small details, and to focus on the task at hand. Most importantly, students learn to respect each other and work together as a community that honors each participant.

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Our in-school programs also provide a learning environment that is particularly supportive of children with kinetic and auditory learning styles, a segment of the student population that is often harder to serve. 

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Berkshire Pulse's education programs have previously reached students in the following districts:

• Berkshire Hills Regional School District

• Central Berkshire Regional School District

• Lee Public Schools

• Lenox Public Schools

• Mount Greylock Regional School District

• Pittsfield Public Schools

• Southern Berkshire Regional School District

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CONTACT: Kim Waterman, 413-274-6624

Farm and Garden School Programs

Berkshire Botanical Garden brings hands-on programming to schools and community sites, both during and after school. We offer year-round, site-based cirricula and instruction for elementary through middle school students. Working in tandem with our educators, students engage in challenging and meaningful work both in the classrooms and in their school gardens, with each program uniquely catered to the needs of the school community. Students participating in these programs learn plant and ecosystem science through hands-on activities focused on the food system and its effect on our environment, our health, and our communities. Experiential and service learning models are emphasized as students design and implement projects using both horticultural and entrepreneurial skills.Through innovative lessons, students explore a range of topics including Next Generation Science Standards, food systems, leadership and social-emotional learning, with programs running from five weeks to 12 months. For more information about how to bring BBG's programming to your school or site please contact BBG Education coordinator

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BBG school programs have previously reached students in:

- Berkshire Hills Regional School District

- Lenox Public Schools

- Pittsfield Public Schools

- Richmond Consolidated School

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CONTACT: Kessa McEwen, 413-931-3194

BTG PLAYS! Year-Round Education Program - Touring Performances

Beginning in October and continuing through the school year, BTG’s young artists perform an original play at dozens of venues throughout the region. These well-crafted productions are appropriate for elementary, middle, and high school students. Designed to introduce students to the excitement of live theatre, a question and answer session follows each performance. For the 2021-2022 school year BTG will be touring Dinosaurs Before Dark KIDS based on Magic Tree House book #1.

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Berkshire Theatre Group's education programs have previously reached students in the following districts:

• Berkshire Hills Regional School District

• Hoosac Valley Regional School District

• Pittsfield Public Schools

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CONTACT: Allison Rachele Bayles, 413-448-8084 x19

The Clark welcomes school groups of all ages for free, year-round. All school visits must be scheduled through the Education Department at least two weeks in advance. Please note, that face masks are optional for all visitors. 

Engaging with art enhances learning, offers expanded dimensions for understanding, knowledge, and skill building, and can connect to most subject areas across the grades. Our school group gallery tours can be tailored to support areas of your curriculum and particular learning goals, as well as state and federal standards. For more resources, curricula, and activities for your school visit or to include in your teaching, please see our Teacher Resources page.

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CONTACT: Lily McGartland,  (413) 458-0563

CATA in the Schools provides arts workshops to students with disabilities in area high schools and middle schools. Many of these students do not participate in mainstream art classes and, without CATA, would have little exposure to the arts in their curriculum.

 

In many cases, CATA provides additional support as students transition out of high school, working with special education teachers on IEPs and offering continued access to CATA workshops after graduation. Students in high schools represent the next generation of CATA artists.

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Education programs available for students with disabilities:

Creative Writing

Dance & Creative Movement

Drumming (Virtual)

Juggling

Music & Songwriting

Storytelling & Acting

Theater

Visual Art

Yoga

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CATA currently engages special education students in year-long, weekly programs at the following districts & schools:

• Berkshire Hills Regional School District

• Southern Berkshire Regional School District

• Central Berkshire Regional High School

• Hoosac Valley Regional School District

• Lee Public Schools 

• Lenox Public Schools 

• North Adams Public Schools

• Pittsfield Public Schools 

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CONTACT: Jeff Gagnon,  (413) 528-5485

Girls Science Clubs are weekly after school science programs for girls grades 3 - 6 at participating schools. Women scientists volunteer their time and work alongside high school girls as mentors. These mentors assist the visiting scientists in leading hands-on laboratory activities with the elementary and middle school club members each week. During the 90-minute lab sessions girls explore fascinating topics not usually presented to younger students. Girls keep a lab book and prepare a showcase of their activities for their parents and friends at the end of each session.

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MakerSpace: Available at Southern Berkshire Regional School District

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Flying Cloud Institute reaches students in the following districts: ​​

• Berkshire Hills Regional School District 

• Lee Public School

• Pittsfield Public Schools

• Richmond Consolidated School

• Southern Berkshire Regional School District 

• Region 1 in Connecticut schools

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CONTACT: Maria Rundle,  413-645-3058

We welcome visits from learners Pre-K through high school. (College instructors, we ask that you check out our tour information for adult visitors.)

In 2023, we have guided and self-guided experiences that are especially compatible with social studies and life sciences curricula—but we can make just about anything work! For schools or camps not able to visit in person, we also offer real-time virtual experiences.

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Hancock Shaker Village has reached students in both public and private Berkshire County schools.

CONTACT: Cindy Dickinson, 413-443-0188 x213

Professional Development

Mary Jo has developed a method that fuses her performance experience with putting teachers into the driving seat as storytellers and teachers of language arts.
At workshops, Mary Jo models telling various kinds of stories, with the emphasis on traditional folktales. She builds comfort and a safe, supportive environment for participants, beginning with simple story skill-building tasks, such as describing something in their homes. Over the course of a typical 1 1/2 hour workshop, teachers learn by witnessing and by immediate practice — retelling tales to partners, watching Mary Jo weave music into a story so kids can sing along, chant along when teachers return to the classroom — or parents to their homes.

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School Residencies

Residencies are a special way to make a much closer connection and deeper impact in oral literacy by having regular in-class visits by Mary Jo. Activities include model storytelling, and kids sing, tell stories, practice their oral presentation skills. They learn how to root for each other. Mary Jo meets with 3-4 classrooms per day, for 45 minutes to an hour each. You can have a kick-off and/or culminating concert, too, and include parent night and/or professional development piece for teachers who want to learn the importance and practice of storytelling in their classrooms: “Tell It! Sing It! Move It!

An Integrated Arts Approach to Story Immersion & Oral Literacy”– because brain/learning research shows that students learn when the subject is meaningful and relevant, when their emotions are engaged, when they get to be physical, when it’s funny, and when they also get to relax and feel safe.

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Literacy/Common Core Re-Envisioned

Mary Jo Maichack’s method of interactive, playful programs/residencies of storytelling, music & drama are beloved by teachers, librarians, principals, cultural and humanities councils, museums, and most importantly, KIDS. Why? They serve up Common Core in the way kids listen–You have to tune in to THEIR “channel” to get it to work. Mary Jo tells multicultural tales her varied audiences relate to (from Aesop’s fables to pourquoi tales, fairy tales–see show guide for idea of how huge her repertoire is). When she tells a folktale, she weaves in chants, rhymes, sound effects, even choruses, so the audience is always engaging, waiting for a cue and responding. They are DOING. In a typical pre-k – 5 residency or classroom workshop, they may try out a Native American frame drum, practice turning and retelling a tale with fingers to a listening buddy. They dance while rhyming, move as characters in a play (SEE THE PHOTO GALLERY). Sometimes one kid pretends to be Goldilocks and other kids interview her to ask her point of view on what happened at the Three Bears’ House that morning. Sometimes puppets tell the tale. Sometimes Mary Jo tosses that puppet to a teacher to have him/her take over the role. Sometimes kids may watch a tale drawn, or they may wear costumes to act. It is a whole body, creative experience and as it happens, they are totally into it. At the very same time, they are engaging in Common Core activities. Hey, you can act out the life of a snowflake, growth of a bean, count the characters.  THE WHOLE CURRICULUM can come into play.

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Maichack Arts has reached schools across the region. Contact Mary Jo for more information.

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CONTACT: Mary Jo Maichack, 413-563-3950

School Programs - February 7th, 2024

Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live takes the audience on a tour through pre-historic Australia, bringing an eye-popping array of ancient creatures to life on stage. They will observe and interact with extraordinarily life-like creatures, just like those that inhabited the Southern Hemisphere millions of years ago. And, they will meet a menagerie of insects, mammals and dinosaurs in their ancient environment, in this highly imaginative, entertaining and educational live show. From the sweetly curious baby Dryosaur, to the peaceful hulk Titanosaur, and even the teeth-gnashing T-rex – Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live is a unique interactive theater performance that stimulates the imagination in a way that connects children to their world. Erth’s large-scale puppets were developed in consultation with paleontologists, based on current science and interpretations of fossil evidence. Employing sophisticated design and electronics, these giants are brought to life by skilled performers and puppeteers, made all the more real through the magic of theatre.

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CONTACT: Natalia Bernal, nbernal@mahaiwe.org, 413-664-9040 x 103

Norman Rockwell Museum has been creating new online ways for our visitors to discover our extensive collections of art, historical objects, classroom activities, and scholarship.

We are thrilled to now have curated experiences that collect related images, photography, video, audio and history relating to the Museum’s renowned collection of Norman Rockwell’s original paintings, his Stockbridge Studio, as well as the Museum’s vast collection of illustration art.  Enjoy your Virtual Museum!

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Norman Rockwell Virtual Museum

Student Matinee Performances

We aim to open up our productions to all audiences by offering subsidized tickets for schools and social service groups, as well as community engagement activities such as panels, study guides and workshops (including professional development workshops for teachers) that allow multiple access points to the world of the play and expand the conversations the play begins. 

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WAM Theatre has reached students in Central Berkshire Regional School District, Pittsfield Public Schools, and Southern Berkshire Regional School District. 

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CONTACT: Kaia Jackson, kaia@wamtheatre.com