The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture (MOAC) is seeking passionate, entrepreneurial, and qualified applicants for the position of Cultural Planning Project Manager. Promoting equitable access space for arts, culture, and creativity and equitable representation of diverse communities, histories, and artistic expression are core tenets of the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture.

The Cultural Planning Project Manager will work with the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture (MOAC) to help build strategy and execute the City’s creative and cultural place-based projects. This position will report to the Director of Cultural Planning at MOAC. The position will work collaboratively with MOAC, BTD, and other City departments and stakeholders to implement place-based programs, such as managing the delivery of District 7 ‘ARTery.’ This position will also help research best practices and inform a theory of practice around embedding arts and culture through urban planning in Boston.

About the Cultural Planning & Infrastructure team

The mission of Boston’s Cultural Planning team is to activate, safeguard, and expand cultural spaces to foster a thriving, creative community across the city. Driven by values of creativity, equitable access to culture and space for community connection, the team aims to protect existing cultural infrastructure from dislocation while advocating for new spaces that encourage cultural innovation and production. 

We will leverage Boston’s unique assets—such as its diverse population, educational institutions, and vibrant cultural scene—  and we aspire to position the city as a leader in the global creative economy. Through strategic partnerships, zoning policies, and campaigns, we work to ensure all residents can experience and participate in cultural expression, thereby enhancing Boston’s quality of life and cultural identity.

About the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture

Dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, economic vitality, and design of the City through the arts, the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture is a City Agency that is committed to providing access to art and culture for all Bostonians. We believe that the role of arts in all aspects and neighborhoods of Boston is intertwined with civic life and reinforced through equitable access to arts and culture in every community, its public institutions, and public places. 

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, care of art in public places, and support of artists at all skill levels who live and work in the city. 

Reporting directly to the Director of Cultural Planning, duties include but are not limited to:

Managing Place-Based Projects

• Project manage creative place-based projects in priority areas, beginning with the District 7 art corridor (‘The Artery’) and Boston’s cultural districts. Projects may include public artworks, street pedestrianization, street painting or street graphics, community events, block parties, and art installations or performances. This will include being responsible for any required permits, approvals, or other coordination.
• Serve as primary contact for external partners with respect to creative placemaking, creative activations, and related design interventions in public spaces.
• Work on contracting processes and oversee contracts with artists, consultants, event producers, and other service providers as needed to implement creative place-based strategies.
• Support commercial space activation strategies, including engagement with landlords, small businesses, Main Streets, and Business Improvement Districts.

Making the case for cultural infrastructure 

• Work with the Cultural Planning & Infrastructure team to develop a strategic plan for Boston's cultural infrastructure. 

Stakeholder Management 

• Maintain strong relationships with Boston’s arts and culture community, including constituents, community groups, and other institutions. 
• Increasing the network and relationship MOAC holds in the wider creative economy in Boston.  
• Share subject matter expertise with neighborhood Main Street organizations and community development agencies engaging in creative public realm activities and strategies.
• Ability to work occasional evening or weekend hours depending on event schedules.

Policy and research development

• Develop research that focuses primarily on advocating for arts and culture as support wider policy agendas in the City of Boston including, public health, economic development, skills and pathways into the creative economy. 
• Produce research citing best practices for arts and culture and disseminate them among stakeholders. 

Technical Support

• Support the creation of technical planning materials that support the needs of different community stakeholders.
• Help to deliver MOAC’s cultural planning programs, including supporting the Director of Cultural Planning with the management of external consultants and commissions.
• Assist in reviewing applications for technical assistance, grants, and other capital funds dispersed by MOAC and its partners.

Perform related work as needed.

• At least three (3) years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional experience in a non-profit, government agency, arts organization, community organizing, or similar enterprise.
• A bachelor's degree in urban planning, urban design, public policy, public administration, geography, political science, social sciences, social service, or related fields is strongly preferred and may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.
• Familiarity with current issues related to cultural planning and/or urban development is required.
• Knowledge of developing strategic plans and developing business cases for investment. 
• Knowledge of City of Boston neighborhoods preferred.
• Ability to effectively communicate with customers, employees, and suppliers and to provide internal and external customers with a courteous and professional experience. 
• Experience managing projects with an equitable and collaborative decision-making approach.
• Experience facilitating and designing community engagement and stakeholder input. 
• Team player who is flexible, adaptable, and who can get along with a diverse team.
• Technology skills: strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, ability to use social media to advance and promote programs, facilities with ArcMap and GIS with Photoshop and InDesign preferred but not required.
• Ability to build and cultivate relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Considerable problem-solving, strategic planning, and written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to perform related work as needed.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/MO-8

Hours per week: 35

Timeline: The position will be open until filled

To Apply: Please upload one single document, containing your resume, a cover letter outlining your qualifications listed in this posting, and two (2) references.

Commitment to Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging 

Statistics show that women, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and other structurally marginalized groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. If this position excites you, you are encouraged to apply. No one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. The City of Boston is an equal opportunity employer and is strongly committed to building and maintaining a diverse community. We look forward to your application.