Julia Marko

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Museum has appointed Julia Marko as chief Finance officer. She brings a wealth of experience, having most recently served as director of Finance and Operations at BART Charter Public School in Adams since July 2020. Prior to that, she was the business manager at the same institution from January 2017 to July 2020 and worked for several years in the Business Office of Pittsfield Public Schools.

Marko joins the senior leadership team at Berkshire Museum during a pivotal time in its history as the museum prepares for a major renovation project later this year. Her extensive background in managing financial operations and strategic planning will be invaluable as the museum embarks on this transformative journey.

“I have loved visiting Berkshire Museum with my family over the past 14 years that I’ve lived in this area,” she said. “I am thrilled to be joining the team there now during an exciting time of growth.”

Marko’s role will involve leading and managing the museum’s finance and operations functions, including financial accounting, internal controls, facility operations, guest services, the gift shop, HR, IT, and overall operations. Her commitment to the museum’s goals as an inclusive, accessible and diverse institution will be vital in fostering a successful and equitable organization.

“It’s an honor to find an outstanding individual such as Julia, who has a strong background in finance and human resources — as well as broad knowledge of the local community — to join our leadership team,” said Kimberley Bush Tomio, the museum’s executive director.

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Museum announced a partnership with Wonderfund, a nonprofit working with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families to provide enrichment opportunities to foster children and families. Under this program, foster families receive free admission to Berkshire Museum for two adults and two children.

Free admission to the museum also gives families access to museum programs such as WeeMuse Littlest Learners, a weekly, educator-led activity for infants and toddlers to spark curiosity with hands-on cognitive and social experiences, on Thursdays from 4 to 4:45 p.m. The museum’s aquarium also hosts Discovery Tank, an educator-led program, on Fridays from 3 to 4 p.m., featuring the animals of the aquarium’s tide pool and demonstrating the behavior and life of crustaceans, sea urchins, starfish, and many other creatures of the shallows.

“This partnership with the Berkshire Museum and the Wonderfund throws open the doors of our treasured downtown institution to foster families,” state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier said. “The Wonderfund is now achieving its goals, not only in the Boston area, but now also here in the Berkshires. Foster families need to be lifted up and appreciated for all they do, and providing the space and programming that the Berkshire Museum offers is just one small way we can support them.”