Northern Berkshire Creative Arts

About NBCA

Northern Berkshire Creative Arts is a community arts center offering studio classes and creative arts programming in the visual arts, theater, dance, and music. Our students range in age, from toddlers to senior citizens, and abilities, from those new to the arts to working artists wanting to learn a new technique. Through our scholarship program, we are able to offer classes to a broad range of community members.

NBCA collaborates with local and regional professional artists and partner organizations to offer the Northern Berkshire community high-quality, year-round classes and workshops in the creative arts. Partner organizations include Sterling and France Clark Art Institute, Williams Collage Museum of Art, Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, The Trustees of Reservations, Images Cinema, Community Access to the Arts, and North Adams Public Schools.

Children’s Programming

A quality arts education makes a dramatic difference in the lives of children and stimulates and encourages creativity, learning, language acquisition, and socialization skills to help children succeed in school and life. The NBCA provides a broad range of studio classes and creative arts programming Monday through Friday, for ages 5 – 9 and 10 – 13.

Classes are offered in the following areas:

Pre-school (creative movement, painting and sculpture)
Music from Around the World
Young Artists: An Exploration of Mediums
Art and Nature
Media Arts
Performing Arts

Adult and Teen Programs

The NBCA offers adult and teen art classes in the fine arts and selected crafts for students ranging from beginners to professional artists. Students have access to printmaking, ceramics*, and darkroom* facilities. Classes are kept small in order to provide specific opportunities for group critique and individual attention. The NBCA also offers special workshops and lectures by regionally and nationally known professional artists.

Classes are offered in the following areas:

Drawing
Painting
Photography
Portfolio Development
Ceramics
Printmaking and Papermaking
Fiber Arts

Programming for North Adams Public School System

21 st Century Academic Enrichment Program for Brayton, Greylock, and Sullivan Elementary Schools and Conte Middle School

After-school and summer art programs designed to extend and enhance the learning that takes place in the North Adams Public School day program. Programs are planned using the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

Community Transitions Program at Johnson School

Studio arts program designed for teens to use their experiences of everyday life to produce art. These groups enable the students to make a difference in how they see themselves and their community as well as create their own art portfolios.

Special Needs Art Programs

Programs are designed to offer individuals with mental, physical and/or developmental disabilities a variety of classes and workshops in the visual and performing arts. Partners include the Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Community Access through the Arts, and Berkshire Family and Individual Resources.