By Charlie Deitz
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-959617.mp3
Western Massachusetts – Lead: For the first time, a Western Massachusetts resident has been chosen to chair the board at the Massachusetts Cultural Council. WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz reports that the new chair's background doesn't seem like a likely choice for the position
Ira Lapidus went to school for zoology, and then continued on to become a dentist, and his first professional gig was doing dentistry in the air force during the Vietnam War. But he says he's always had a heart for theater and the arts although he admits to not having a lot of talent there. He and his wife settled in Williamstown, Massachusetts because of its rich cultural offerings. He relates that he saw the region lose most of its industry and felt that the cultural venues they were attracted to would be the area's best chance.
"This was the economy,that's how I really started getting involved with the theater festival."
He's referring to the Williamstown Theater Festival where he was able to get to know many of the stars by fixing their teeth, he eventually joined the board there and soon after was at the head, which in turn led him to sit on the board of the Massachusetts Cultural Council in 2000, taking a leadership role in 2007, and this week being named by Governor Patrick as the new chair, the Governor in a statement said "Dr. Ira Lapidus is a passionate advocate for the arts, humanities, and sciences with a deep understanding of how they contribute to our quality of life in Massachusetts." MCC's Executive Director Anita Walker says the doctor was the obvious choice.
"He is truly a collaborative leader who wants to engage the other members."
Now that he's at the helm, Dr. Lapidus says he likes the way the organization runs, and says they have been fair with the way they give out funds to the separate regions of the state. What he would like to work on is advocating against cuts to the arts on all levels.
"I think a lot of what I would like to is advocacy, the NEA supports all the arts organizations, it would be a significant problem if it was cut."
Cultural organizations in Berkshire County are well acquainted with Lapidus, and as Norman Rockwell Museum's Director Laurie Norton Moffatt says the first thing she'll ask for when she calls him is more money, then for the advocacy part.
"Programs like the cultural facilities fund which is vital for theater and art."
Lapidus was in on the creation of the cultural facilities fund, saying that they have given out 30 million dollars so far, and there's 7 million dollars in this year's budget.
"We've put thousands of people to work doing that, and hired 1200 people."
The Massachusetts Cultural Council has taken double digit budget cuts in recent years, Lapidus hopes to convince state lawmakers that every dollar spent on the state's cultural venues nets 5 dollars in return. Dr. Lapidus plans to maintain his dentistry practice in Williamstown while he serves out his chairmanship.