The mission of Flying Cloud Institute is to inspire young people and educators through dynamic science and art experiences that ignite creativity.

Originally based on a 200 acre colonial farmstead in New Marlborough, MA, Flying Cloud Institute was founded in 1984 by Jane and Lawrence Burke with David Schwarz as a center for community education specializing in environmental education, energy and land conservation, and the arts. It now offers an array of programs in the arts and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) that serve over 2,000 youth and local educators annually.

FCI runs programs at a number of locations including area public schools, local libraries, the Berkshire Innovation Center, April Hill Education and Conservation Center, and the labs of Berkshire Community College.

In 2017, Flying Cloud moved its administrative offices to Great Barrington and the founding director, Jane Burke, retired. In 2024 Flying Cloud celebrated its 40th anniversary and honored the founders Jane and Larry with a series of events throughout the year.

Flying Cloud continues to develop new programs and partnerships to advance our education mission for all the young scientists and artist in the region. Join us in igniting creativity and changing the lives of the young people who seek to make meaning of their world through scientific investigations, who tackle real-world problems through engineering solutions, and who express themselves honestly and creatively through art!