IS183 Art School Receives Matching Funds for Exterior Work on Historic Citizens’ Hall
Preservation Massachusetts, in partnership with The 1772 Foundation, has announced the final recipients of a historic preservation matching grant program for Massachusetts. Preservation Massachusetts is the statewide non-profit historic preservation organization dedicated to preserving the Commonwealth’s historic and cultural heritage and The 1772 Foundation plays a leading role in promoting historic preservation nationwide.
In this latest grant round, the 1772 Foundation worked with statewide historic preservation organizations, including Preservation Massachusetts, to administer 1:1 matching grants of up to $10,000. Grants will be given to historic preservation projects for building exteriors. At their quarterly meeting, the trustees of The 1772 Foundation awarded $100,000 in grants to 12 Massachusetts projects, based on recommendations from Preservation Massachusetts. Among the 12 recipients, IS183 Art School of the Berkshires was awarded a $4,100 matching grant for exterior work to their homebase - the historic Citizens’ Hall, Stockbridge. “We are so grateful to Ann and Joe Gallo for supporting IS183 Art School through their love and generosity -- and completing our match!” says Lucie Castaldo, Executive Director.
Every summer, IS183 Art School welcomes over 200 adults and children to Citizens’ Hall. Young artists, ages 3-14, walk wide-eyed from the parking lot into their building. “It’s an art castle!” and “This is where I get to take art class?!” are commonly uttered as students stand in front of the bright red doors for a picture.
Children spread out on the lawn, clipboards and colored pencils in hand, and spend the afternoon studying architecture by drawing Citizens’ Hall. Adult photography students experiment with representing the building in black and white and in color. Teen campers produce countless films inspired by the building's history or use it as a setting for fantastical animations.
“We love our building”, says Castaldo. “Citizens’ Hall is the second “teacher” in our classes - inspiring students and faculty just with its presence. IS183 Art School is a cultural institution and supporting visual artists is at the heart of our mission. The building is critical to our studio-centered programming, and preserving this outstanding cultural landmark and the work of this talented architect is mission-centric.”
Citizens’ Hall was designed in 1870 by Charles T Rathburn to serve a mixed community use. The first floor accommodated four multigrade classrooms for the K-8th grade village school while the second floor was designed as a large public meeting hall and auditorium.
After the school closed in 1931, Citizens’ Hall was neglected and allowed to deteriorate. A group of concerned neighbors came together in 1971 to form Old Curtisville, Inc, with the goal of preserving Citizens’ Hall as the community center of Interlaken. Old Curtisville was instrumental in securing a grant from the Mass. Historical Commission in 1975 for critical repairs but never had the resources to provide consistent stewardship of the building.
IS183 Art School of the Berkshires, a community-based nonprofit, was founded in 1991 and leased the space in the building for 15 years. The art school merged with the building's previous owners and became the sole owner in 2005. IS183 Art School completed a $330,000 capital campaign in 2009 funding an extensive renovation of the building’s exterior.
IS183 Art School is the only dedicated public studio space in the region and is an instrumental resource to the many residents who make a living as artists. The first and second floors of Citizens’ Hall house the 2D, 3D, and young artist studios. The administrative office, on the first floor, also contains a gallery shop with artist work on display. The basement houses a Ceramics Studio with electric kilns and equipment. IS183’s Ceramics Studio is the only public ceramics facility in Berkshire County, offering education on unique firing techniques and access to soda, raku, gas, and electric kilns.
After completing a 20 year Systems Replacement Plan through Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Nonprofit Finance Fund, IS183 Art School is concentrating the next several years on facility repairs and maintenance. Funding from the 1772 Foundation will allow IS183 Art School to repair and preserve the impressive facade of Citizens’ Hall and is the first step in our 20-year plan of projects to preserve and enhance this historic building.
About Preservation Massachusetts:
Preservation Massachusetts was established in 1985 as Historic Massachusetts, Inc. We are the statewide non-profit organization that actively promotes the preservation of historic buildings and landscapes as a positive force for economic development and the retention of community character. The organization is supported entirely by grants, fundraising events and the support of our membership. In keeping with our mission, we work in partnership with national, state and local organizations and individuals across the Commonwealth to advance and understanding, appreciation and utilization of our historic built and natural landscapes. More information about Preservation Massachusetts may be found online at www.preservationmass.org
About the 1772 Foundation:
The 1772 Foundation was named in honor of its first restoration project, Liberty Hall in Union, NJ, which was built in 1772 and is the ancestral home of the Livingston and Kean families. The late Stewart B. Kean was the sole benefactor to The 1772 Foundation. The 1772 Foundation works to ensure the safe passage of our historic buildings and farmland to future generations. More information about The 1772 Foundation may be found at www.1772foundation.org.