Chief of Arts & Culture

Overview

About the Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture (MOAC)

The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture (MOAC) envisions a vibrant and creative Boston, where everyone can access and participate in the arts. We partner with the local arts ecosystem to support the creative economy, integrate public art into neighborhoods, and increase accessible opportunities for creative expression. We believe everyone is creative. Investing in our creativity will lead to a reimagined, more just Boston. Key areas of work include support to the cultural sector through grants and programs, support of cultural facilities and artist workspace, as well as the commissioning, review, and care of art in public places. Learn more at www.boston.gov/arts.

Chief of Arts and Culture, City of Boston

The City of Boston seeks a visionary, collaborative, and dynamic leader to serve as its next Chief of Arts and Culture. This is a cabinet-level position reporting to Mayor Michelle Wu responsible for shaping and championing the city's cultural identity while supporting the vibrant and diverse arts ecosystem. The Chief role spearheads the Mayor’s agenda on the creative economy through the leadership of the Arts and Culture Cabinet. As the Chief of Arts and Culture, this role serves the City and the Mayor in leading the development and implementation of cultural policy in partnership with the local creative ecosystem, city departments, and other regional partners. 

Under Mayor Michelle Wu, the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture has gained considerable  national attention for equitable and inclusive grantmaking, ecosystem development, and support for creative initiatives across the city. Over the past three years, MOAC has launched signature efforts including leveraging $25 million in grantmaking of American Rescue Plan Act resources to Boston-based artists, organizations, and events, as well as the launch of new transformative initiatives including Boston Family Days, and Un-Monument, supported by public-private partnerships. These city-wide efforts have substantially elevated public perception of the Office and exemplify the Mayor's commitment to the arts and creativity.

 

Key Opportunities

2025 will be a pivotal year for the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture (MOAC). Over the past four years, MOAC has elevated Boston's reputation as a leader in equitable, inclusive arts initiatives through transformative programs and strategic grantmaking funded by ARPA resources. The next Chief will inherit a legacy of accomplishments and will have the opportunity to help the Cabinet address new emerging priorities:

 

• Reimagining Boston's Cultural Narrative: In partnership with the Mayor, the next Chief will have the opportunity to set the direction of MOAC, while championing efforts to develop youth career pathways to develop Boston’s future creative workforce, the revitalization of downtown Boston as a creative enterprise zone and hub for the regional creative economy, and the opportunity to lead a new national campaign to position Boston as a beacon of creative and artistic innovation, leveraging Boston’s creative assets and industries.
• Expanding Partnerships: This role requires fostering innovative collaborations with private, public, and corporate sectors to secure resources and elevate the creative sector in Boston. With ARPA funds ending, MOAC will be shifting from large scale ARPA grantmaking to a partnership model. The next Chief will need to be able to leverage existing partnerships, and explore innovative fundraising strategies to sustain cultural momentum. 
• Advancing Equity and Accessibility: Building on MOAC’s successful equitable grantmaking practices, the Chief must ensure that marginalized communities continue to see themselves represented in Boston’s cultural landscape.
• Advocating for Artists and Organizations: The Chief will address challenges such as a lack of affordable space for the creative economy, an ongoing effort to prevent the displacement of artists and musicians, and sustainable funding, fostering a supportive environment for creatives at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic vision for Boston’s arts and cultural priorities, aligning with the Mayor’s vision of a vibrant, inclusive city.
• Serve as the primary advocate for the arts within city government, fostering cross-departmental and public-private collaboration, and being a responsive interagency partner for all mayoral initiatives. 
• Oversee all MOAC programs, including cultural planning, grant making, public art initiatives, creative workforce development, and cultural equity efforts.
• Cultivate and sustain relationships with stakeholders in the creative economy, community g