Arts and Culture Director

The Somerville Arts and Culture (SAC) Director provides high-level leadership to elevate the arts across the municipal government and the community, recognizing the unique role municipalities play in a vibrant cultural ecosystem. The Director is tasked with shepherding the local, long-term goals for the field as well as positioning Somerville as a regional leader in arts and culture through strategic vision, partnerships, and policy development through collaboration across government agencies, artists, cultural organizations, community groups, educational institutions, businesses, and regional partners.

This role includes but is not limited to leadership in arts planning; creative placemaking; public art; cultural programming; community events; celebration of community identity and cultural heritage; development of arts and cultural spaces; artist support and workforce development initiatives; and policies and investments that expand access and visibility of arts and culture.

The SAC Director also serves on the Mayor’s Cabinet as a representative of the Culture and Community Cabinet, and acts as a conduit of information between Cabinet members (SAC, Recreation Division, and Somerville Public Libraries) and the Mayor’s Office.

• Oversee all aspects of the City’s arts and cultural endeavors.
• Serve as a leader, listener, facilitator, and catalyst for change in the arts in Somerville: areas of work include but are not limited to arts and cultural planning and policy, arts and cultural programming, arts organizing and collective advocacy, arts professional development, public art, and public events. Engage with the public and hosts public meetings regularly.
• Integrate the arts into broader City initiatives, partnering with City staff, multicultural community partners, regional organizations, and elected officials.
• Work to preserve and protect existing arts spaces while creating new opportunities and partnerships for cultural use and development.
• Vision and implement community-wide work based on plans such as the Armory Master Plan and the Cultural Capacity Plan.
• Maintain deep knowledge of the local, state, and national grants landscape to identify, pursue, and maximize funding opportunities that support artists, programs, and cultural initiatives.
• Prepare annual division budget and oversee all revenue and expenses for division.
• Manage SAC staff: Ensure strong team performance and accountability; recognize and develop individual strengths and facilitate continued growth opportunities, and support supervisors in their own leadership growth; foster a collaborative team culture; effectively delegate responsibilities; ensure continuity of day-to-day operations; strengthen internal systems and digital infrastructure to support efficiency, coordination, and staff capacity as programs continue to grow.
• Supervise the Local Cultural Council (LCC) grant process, working closely with the Board and staff to maintain a robust local arts granting program.
• Serve as liaison to the SAC Advisory Board, facilitating communication, coordination and implementation of board guidance.
• Supervise the development and implementation of year-round arts programming and events that serve the diverse needs of Somerville residents, while advancing equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive approaches to programming, outreach, partnerships, and community engagement.
• Foster a community engagement system for Somerville artists and art stakeholders that develops and maintains ongoing participation, deepens relationships and feedback loops, provides interconnection across initiatives, and both captures and reflects the diversity of the Somerville community.
• Sits on the Mayor’s newly created Culture & Community Cabinet, serving as the conduit of information to and from other departments in the Cabinet. This responsibility is projected to take 2-3 hours for weekly meetings and email communications.
• Performs related duties as needed by the Mayor.

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in social sciences, arts management, humanities, or a related arts field and five to ten (10) years’ experience, including at least three (3) years of supervisory experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Master’s degree preferred.

Preference given to candidates with experience in arts organizational change management, direct experience navigating municipal and state-level regulatory or permitting processes, and demonstrated cultural competency within arts and cultural institutions. Experience engaging with multiracial, multicultural communities and managing community partnerships preferred.

• 4 weeks annual vacation for non-union positions. Union positions vary by contract. Please note, police officers are members of the SPEA union. Public Health Nurses are part of Union A (SMEA).
• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
• Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
• Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Long term disability through Sun Life
• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
• Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
• Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
• Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
• Annual cancer screening & wellness release
• Somerville Retirement Pension System
• Tuition reimbursement
• MBTA pass program
• FREE Blue Bikes membership
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)