Stayin' Alive: The Foundry Fund
The Foundry is an intimate multidisciplinary performing arts venue in West Stockbridge, MA serving diverse audiences in Berkshire County and beyond. Opened in 2019, the 85-seat venue survived the Covid-19 pandemic by pivoting to online programming and then outdoor performance in the warmer weather. Like all businesses, the venue still struggles to recover from the financial losses incurred but continues to provide the community with unique local, touring and emerging artists while specifically focusing on giving often unheard voices a platform.
In addition to the hardships caused by the pandemic, the venue has suffered hefty legal fees while defending our right to continue bringing artists and audiences together. Obtaining a recent Special Permit from the West Stockbridge Planning Board to be in operation, the venue received extraordinary sound restrictions and must prove compliance. The venue must purchase $5000.00 worth of sound monitoring and recording equipment to keep a record of our compliance.
Though The Foundry previously purchased soundproofing material to mitigate the sound issues and address the abutter's complaints, it must now purchase more materials for additional assurance.
Now, even though The Foundry accepted the Special Permit's severe sound restrictions, the abutter has filed an appeal of the Special Permit in Land Court in Boston. This legal process can take up to 18 months and cost the venue up to $10,000.00 in legal fees.
As the world crawls toward finding comfort in gathering together again, the process is slow and ticket sales have suffered while we all navigate our safety and health in the public arena. The venue depends heavily on the revenue of ticket sales to break even and survive. The additional expenses above have created the need for The Foundry to again ask for help from the community it serves. So many are lacking in funds due to the economy, war, oppression, and so much more. But we strongly believe that what The Foundry offers is healing and joy through the brilliance of performance art; an offering worth its weight in gold. We thank you in advance for any amount you might donate to help ensure the venue's future.
