Pittsfield Inaugural Artist-In-Residence at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts

Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts' inaugural Artist-in-Residence program offers an opportunity for an artist to gain creative space and exposure while engaging with the local arts community.

The program not only provides a free 6-month studio space starting in April 2025, but also includes a culminating group exhibition in October 2025, giving the resident artist a platform to showcase their work alongside the other artists at the Lichtenstein.

This residency is designed to foster artistic development and collaboration, allowing the artist to focus on creating new work or refining existing pieces while interacting with arts professionals, stated a press release.

The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts is a hub for creativity and community in Pittsfield. The historic building and its location in the Upstreet Cultural District make it an ideal setting for artistic development and public engagement. Here's a quick overview:

  • Art Gallery & Performance Area
  • Artist Studios: Nine individual studios providing artists with the space to create.
  • Ceramic Studio: A specialized studio for working with ceramics.
  • Cultural Development Office: Central to supporting the arts in Pittsfield.

Named after Kitty Lichtenstein, the arts benefactor who donated the building, the center stands as a tribute to her commitment to the arts in Pittsfield and beyond. The facility itself serves as a testament to the positive impact of supporting local artists and fostering an arts scene. The Lichtenstein Center is a key resource for both emerging and established artists.

Eligibility

  • Full-time residents of Pittsfield
  • Open to both emerging and experienced artists aged 21 and up
  • Artists must have prior experience exhibiting their work

Selection Process

  • Submit a portfolio with a minimum of 5 images, which can be shared via website, social media, or email
  • Participate in an in-person meet and greet with the Cultural Development office the week of March 24

Benefits

  • Free studio space at the Lichtenstein Center for Arts from April to October
  • Opportunity to exhibit in the OUT OF THE STUDIOS group show in October 2025
  • 100 percent of sales proceeds from artwork sold at the group show
  • $200 stipend for being featured in Palace Park during one First Fridays at Five, where you can showcase your work and/or perform live demonstrations
  • Interaction and collaboration with other artists at the Lichtenstein
  • Promotion via LovePittsfield.com's social media platforms

To apply please email: cultural.development@cityofpittsfield.org.

The deadline to apply is March 19.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Commission Mapping out Pittsfield's Park Square Historical District

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Creating a historic district around Park Square would take about a year through the work of a study committee. 

The Historical Commission last week mapped out the first phases of establishing a district for the historically significant city center so its facade is preserved and protected. This includes petitioning the City Council for a study committee, which will eventually produce a final report, and weighing the cost of a consultant against a self-guided process. 

"I think we could do it in-house," the City Planner Kevin Rayner said, pointing to resources available from the Massachusetts Historical Commission. 

Park Square is seen as an obvious location to start. The central area was laid out a few decades after Pittsfield was given a town charter in 1761 and was the site of the first agricultural fair in 1810.

"I don't think anybody is going to argue too hard that the buildings directly around Park Square are historic, and that we should preserve the look of Park Square as it is," Rayner said. 

The historical district is not expected to cover "massive swaths of Pittsfield" and would use National Historic District boundaries as a guide. 

The city has more than 20 locations on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Park Square Historical District, but the designation just allows communities to apply for federal tax credits and doesn't impose restrictions on buildings.

After consulting Somerville's planning staff about its historic districts, it became clear that the city could basically appoint Historical Commission members to the yearlong study committee. Three to seven members would be appointed by the City Council. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories