Arts and Culture Director

Statement of Duties

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.

Essential Functions

• 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.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

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.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge: Deep knowledge of how an arts community thrives; knowledge of and engagement with Somerville arts community a plus. Knowledge of arts infrastructure on a local and state-wide level. Knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, supervising and evaluating community-based art activities. Knowledge of the principles and practices of effective budgetary management and fundraising. Working knowledge of computer hardware and software in support of department operations. Working knowledge of artistic practices and production needs across multiple disciplines, including performing arts, visual arts, and media arts.

Abilities: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. Ability to recognize, work with, and creatively support a diverse and multicultural constituency. Ability to develop innovative cost-effective programs to meet community needs. Ability to prepare and administer budgets. Ability to recruit, train and supervise subordinate personnel effectively. Ability to utilize data-based systems to assist in the design and evaluation of programs. Ability to prepare reports and maintain records in a detailed and organized manner. Ability to deal tactfully with members of the public. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both written and oral forms. Multilingual a plus.

Skills: Demonstrated ability to administer complex arts programs. Strategic thinking and long-term community planning for the field of arts. Excellent customer service skills. Skill in coordinating various programs and projects simultaneously. Effective written and verbal communication skills. Excellent fund-raising skills.

Work Environment

The work environment is an equal mix of office work and field work. The office work involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. The field work requires moderate intermittent physical strength and effort daily, such as, lifting heavy objects, carrying the object(s) and stacking them or placing them in a vehicle or storage area. In addition, pulling, pushing, standing or walking for the full workday may also be involved. A great deal of physical effort must be exerted at this level. Additionally, the employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours including some evenings or weekends for needs such as events or community meetings.

Hours: Full-Time

Salary Range: $120,000-$124,800 annualized plus benefits

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Union: Non-Union

Date Posted: June 4,2026

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The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact the ADA Coordinator at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov.

Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:

• MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
• Completion of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees

Overview of Total Rewards:

• 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)

Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.