Liberal Arts in the Heart of the Berkshires.
Small-town warmth meets global culture in the heart of New England.
The Northern Berkshires offer an awe-inspiring setting for growth. At MCLA, your campus reaches far beyond our hilltop grounds. Hiking trails become your study breaks. World-class museums fill your weekends. A vibrant arts scene inspires your creativity. Join a community that supports your ambitions and shapes your future.
MCLA sits in North Adams, a city rich in history and reinvention. MASS MoCA, one of the world’s largest contemporary art museums, is just blocks from campus. The Appalachian Trail, Mount Greylock’s summit, and hidden lakes are only a short drive away.
For centuries, the Berkshires have drawn artists and musicians, and that creative energy is still alive and well here. North Adams is experiencing a renaissance: Main Street boasts fresh cafés, galleries, and local spirit. Music festivals and art exhibits bring people from around the world to town each year. Revival and renewal are breathing life into neighborhoods across town.
Students, families, and locals alike often say this community is safe, warm, and genuinely welcoming. In a smaller college town, it’s easier to build meaningful connections, receive personal attention, and find a deep sense of belonging.
Culture Doesn't Wait for the Weekend.
North Adams is punching above its weight. This small city hosts the Fresh Grass music festival, attracting acts like the Dropkick Murphys and Wilco, and is home to Mass MoCA—a museum so vast you could spend days exploring. Our students get front-row seats to a creative explosion that's putting the Northern Berkshires on the cultural map.
Become Part of Something Bigger.
At MCLA's size, you won't get lost in the crowd. You're a neighbor, a familiar face, a member of multiple communities at once. Professors know you by name and collaborate across departments. And the town of North Adams welcomes you as part of its fabric. This interconnection creates opportunities you won't find at larger institutions.
Exceptional Places to Explore
Easily Accessible from MCLA
Meaningful Metrics
Small School. Big Impact.
Here are a few #'s that speak for themselves.
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“North Adams is slowly becoming this kind of musical cultural hub. And it’s because of things like the Fresh Grass Institute. It’s because things like Wilco and people’s eyes are being turned to North Adams.”
“If you’re a nature lover, this is truly the place for you. There’s so much beauty in this area, whether it’s the mountains, or the hiking trails, or the lakes…”
“Here at MCLA, especially where this smaller institution is very much woven into the fabric of the Berkshires and Western Mass itself. You feel like, ironically, even though you’re part of a much smaller institution, you feel like you’re a part of a much bigger community.”
“...Then that feeling across campus of how connected we can be because we’re a small campus, right? I know my colleagues in other departments. I know colleagues in Poli Sci and in anthropology, right, on a larger campus, that’s not gonna happen. And that opens up"
“Some of my favorite hidden gems in the Berkshires, certainly one is Greylock Glen. So there is beautiful water, mountain views, there’s a lovely hiking path. So for me, I love to take my dog for a hike at the Greylock Glen.”
Voices from Our Community
Purpose. Connection. Belonging.
The Great Outdoors
