MCLA Students Host the Better Together Block Party With Support From MASS MoCA

April 22, 2026

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) students present the Better Together Block Party on Friday, May 1 from 3–6 p.m. at MASS MoCA in Courtyard A. This free, arts-centered event is the culmination of a student-led, semester-long pilot project, developed through MCLA’s Managing Creativity course, with collaborative support from MASS MoCA. Positioned as a “pre-game” to the vibrant, grass-roots FIRST Fridays North Adams, the Better Together Block Party invites the community to start the weekend early, and celebrate all the City of North Adams has to offer.

Designed and produced by MCLA students as an applied learning initiative, the Better Together Block Party at MASS MoCA features live pop-up performances by regional artists including The Nothing Birds and The Blue Steam Project, and food and drink for purchase from on-campus establishments. Attendees can also participate in free hands-on, all-ages art-making activities.

A featured Creative Campus Crawl, organized by MCLA students in partnership with participating businesses, will offer guided small-group visits, including Gary Lichtenstein Editions’ studio and MASS MoCA’s Research and Development Store. Participants will spend 15 to 20 minutes at each site, gaining insight into artistic production, creative entrepreneurship, and the role these businesses play within the broader North Adams ecosystem.

“The Better Together Block Party is exactly the kind of collaboration that strengthens North Adams—bringing together students, artists, businesses, and residents in a shared celebration of creativity,” said Jenny Wright, Executive Director of the North Adams Partnership. “What makes this especially exciting is that it’s student-led, demonstrating how emerging leaders are actively helping shape the city’s future. By connecting the MASS MoCA campus with downtown through First Fridays, this event helps build the energy, relationships, and visibility that support a vibrant downtown.”

The Better Together Block Party reflects MCLA’s commitment to experiential learning, showcasing how students can design and implement real-world creative projects. MASS MoCA’s role in the pilot is to provide a collaborative environment and creative campus context that supports student exploration and community engagement highlighting the intersections of art, community, and creative enterprise through a student-driven lens.

About FIRST Fridays North Adams
FIRST Fridays started in May 2021 as a grass-roots initiative with the support of local businesses and the North Adams Chamber of Commerce. The mission of the North Adams Chamber is to explore, define, share and promote the unique story of Northern Berkshire County by connecting individuals, facilitating conversations and leading the development of responsible growth practices. The NAC is an independent nonprofit economic development organization in the City of North Adams that aids in the growth and vitality of businesses in Northern Berkshire County.

About MASS MoCA
MASS MoCA is a contemporary art museum that emphasizes bold creative exploration and fosters surprising connections between people every single day. It upholds artistic freedom and is an indispensable home for artists who stretch toward what has yet to be created. From its beginnings as the major textile mill Arnold Print Works in the mid-19th century, to its days as the Sprague Electric Company in the mid-20th century, to its current existence as a globally renowned, contemporary art museum and fabrication center, the MASS MoCA campus has a rich history of serving as an economic engine of the City of North Adams and the surrounding region. With vast galleries, artist studios, a variety of indoor and outdoor stages and over 40 local businesses on campus, MASS MoCA is able to embrace art in all forms. For more information visit massmoca.org or follow on Instagram at @massmoca.


About MCLA

At MCLA, we're here for all -- and focused on each -- of our students. Classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives. In every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully empowered to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 130-year commitment to public education, we have fortified our dedication to equitable academic excellence. MCLA has appeared on U.S. News & World Report's list of Top Ten Public Colleges for 11 consecutive years, earning the No. 6 spot on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts Schools in the nation for 2026.