Business briefs

Umbrella group to promote Beacon

BEACON -- The newly formed arts umbrella group in Beacon chose a name Thursday: Beacon Arts Community Association.

Its mission is to promote and develop Beacon's growing arts community.

The first project is to have one night a month when all shops would remain open late together. This has been named ''2nd Saturday.'' The first one is set for Dec. 14.

The membership includes both for-profit and nonprofit groups and businesses, and consists mostly of art gallery owners and related arts businesses. Nonprofits include Beacon Cultural Project, Dia:Beacon museum, Collaborative Concepts gallery and Howland Cultural Center.

The group meets Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. at Howland, 477 Main St.

Group President Ricardo Diaz spoke to the City Council Monday and called Mayor Clara Lou Gould's response ''very receptive.''