For the first time in 20 years, Boston will have a new arts czar. Mayor Marty Walsh appointed Chicago-native Julie Burros as the new Boston Chief of Arts and Culture.  In the 2013 Boston mayoral race, the MASSCreative-led Create the Vote coalition worked to elevate arts as a key issue in the campaign.

“During the mayoral campaign, Walsh was the first candidate to pledge to hire a cabinet-level arts commissioner, and his fulfillment of that promise is truly groundbreaking,” said Executive Director Matt Wilson.  "[Mayor] Walsh could learn a lot by following the blueprint set by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel."

 In articles by WBUR and Boston Magazine, authors Greg Cook and Steve Annear both highlight Burros' background as the current director of cultural planning at Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

 We're looking forward to working with Julie Burros and Mayor Walsh to continue to bolster the city's arts and cultural sector.