In the heart of the Berkshires, a powerful wave of creativity and transformation is rising—led not by institutions alone, but by the voices, visions, and lived experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) artists. On the stage of Barrington Stage Company, 67 artists, creatives, and cultural leaders came together for the Culture Shift ID3A Jam, a bold convening designed to illuminate the systemic barriers BIPOC artists face and co-create a new blueprint for cultural equity in the region.
This gathering, powered by the Blackshires Community Empowerment Foundation and Team R3SET, was more than a discussion; it was a declaration. A declaration that BIPOC artists must not only be included but also centered in Berkshire County’s cultural economy.
Why the Culture Shift Is Necessary
Despite the Berkshires’ reputation as a cultural hub, BIPOC artists still face significant challenges, including gatekeeping, funding inequities, a lack of representation in leadership, and insufficient access to creative spaces.
The ID3A Jam brought these realities to the surface, affirming what many have long known: that visibility, opportunity, and ownership remain out of reach for too many BIPOC creators in the region. These gaps not only stifle artistic careers but also impoverish the collective cultural fabric of the Berkshires.
Participants echoed a unified call for systemic change:
- “Gatekeeping stifles BIPOC creativity.”
- “We need centralized resource hubs.”
- “Direct mentorship fuels artist growth.”
- “We need consistent funding support and affordable spaces.”
- “Ownership of our cultural spaces is key.”
Key Themes That Emerged
From small group discussions to powerful full-room reflections, several strategic themes emerged during the ID3A Jam:
1. Visibility & Representation Matter
BIPOC artists consistently experience gaps in exposure and acknowledgment. They need better promotion, leadership representation, and meaningful roles in programming decisions. The absence of BIPOC voices on boards and curatorial teams leads to missed perspectives and opportunities.
2. Sustainable Funding—Not Symbolic Support
Participants emphasized the need to move away from token gestures. Sustainable funding models—such as multi-year general operating support, direct grants, and access to fiscal sponsorship—are crucial for artists to not only survive but thrive. Cultural equity means that BIPOC artists require reliable and adequate resources to dedicate themselves to their work full-time.
3. Infrastructure: Spaces, Systems, and Support
Affordable rehearsal, recording, studio, and gallery spaces are foundational. Yet they are scarce or inaccessible for BIPOC creators. Artists also cited a need for centralized resource hubs to navigate grants, showcase their work, access equipment, and connect with other creatives and cultural leaders.
4. Mentorship and Collaboration
Peer mentorship and collaborative artistic networks emerged as key levers for growth. Programs that pair emerging BIPOC artists with established professionals, curators, or funders can bridge knowledge gaps and accelerate careers.
5. Ownership and Self-Determination
The Culture Shift emphasized the need for BIPOC-led venues, collectives, and programming spaces. Spaces curated by and for BIPOC communities allow for authentic expression, deeper community ties, and the ability to set the terms of creative engagement.
One participant proposed, “Establish a Black Box Theater for BIPOC events”—a powerful idea rooted in self-definition and community cultural control.
Systemic Accountability: The Role of Anchor Institutions
While grassroots voices were centered, the Culture Shift also focused on the accountability of Berkshire’s anchor institutions; major cultural players with influence, resources, and reach. These institutions were challenged to:
- Examine internal structures for racial equity.
- Move beyond performative gestures.
- Develop real partnerships with Black-led organizations.
- Share power in curatorial and executive decision-making.
- Invest directly in BIPOC artistic leadership and infrastructure.
Participants insisted that true allyship must involve redistributing resources, sharing decision-making, and co-creating programs that reflect the diversity of the communities served.
What’s Next: Building the Blueprint
The Culture Shift ID3A Jam is an ongoing, community-driven effort to transform the Berkshires’ cultural ecosystem. The insights gained will contribute to a formal Arts & Culture Equity Blueprint being developed by Team R3SET and the Blackshires Community Empowerment Foundation.
This blueprint will include:
- Recommendations for funders and institutions.
- Policy suggestions for municipal and state leaders.
- A model for mentorship and artist development programs.
- A plan to establish centralized resource hubs and artist collectives.
- A pathway to BIPOC space ownership and creative venue development.
It will also integrate pipeline mapping, highlighting how to move BIPOC artists from emerging to established to institutionally supported without losing their artistic voice or community connection along the way.
A Community-First Model for Cultural Power
Perhaps the most resonant outcome of the ID3A Jam was the affirmation that community-first approaches work. Artists are experts in their own experiences, and when given space and support to design solutions, they deliver innovations that institutions cannot replicate alone.
The Culture Shift makes clear that the future of the Berkshires’ cultural scene must be co-created with and led by BIPOC artists and leaders. Cultural transformation is not about inclusion alone; it’s about rebalancing power, honoring legacy, and investing in future generations of creators.
Join the Movement
The work doesn’t end with the Jam. We invite all artists, institutions, funders, and allies to take action:
- Support Black-led arts initiatives and collectives.
- Fund BIPOC artist residencies, fellowships, and mentorship programs.
- Offer your space, platform, or resources to amplify BIPOC creative voices.
- Partner with Blackshires and Team R3SET to build a more equitable arts future.
As a creator or cultural gatekeeper, your role is essential. It’s time to reshape the cultural economy to ensure that every artist has the necessary tools, space, and freedom to succeed.
For more information or to download the forthcoming Culture Shift Strategic Report, visit Blackshires.net or connect with us at TeamR3SET.com.
