Chicago Official Named Boston’s New Arts Chief
From Joel Brown, writing for The Boston Globe:
The idea behind the appointment is that a strong arts sector yields cultural, economic, and quality-of-life benefits that touch everyone in the city. “It’s going to be huge,” said Walsh, who made appointing the city’s first cabinet-level arts chief in years a key campaign promise. “This is one area that crosses over almost every single department of city government and every single piece of city life.”
Burros will have a complex set of tasks, Walsh said. “I think the biggest pieces she’s going to do, one is to develop a Boston cultural master plan, that’s probably the most important, and then a separate piece is creating an innovative financial plan,” the mayor said. “This is something I want her to be successful at in the first couple of years. I want this position to be self-sustainable by the end of my first term.”
Walsh promised she’ll have the resources she needs here, but said foundation and other outside funding will be integral to long-term success.
The new Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture will start with a staff of nine and an annual budget of $1.3 million, most going to salaries, officials said. Burros will also oversee the Fund for Boston Neighborhoods, at about $1.1 million, funded largely by contributions from organizations and individuals and used for events such as First Night.