Jonesborough creates cultural arts director post and approves marketing support for Jackson Theater

The Jonesborough Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved creation of a cultural arts office, adopted a position description, and appointed the cultural arts director. The board also approved a short-term contract for marketing and social media support for the Jackson Theater using a preapproved Jackson budget account.

Board members said the Jackson Theater’s opening and early programming generated strong local interest and that specialized promotional support is needed while the theater’s operations scale up. Staff described an interim contract — a contracted marketing specialist for social media, photography, paid advertising, branding and related services — as a cost-effective way to provide dedicated promotional work through the fiscal year. The board noted that the contracted approach is less expensive than hiring a full-time employee with benefits in the short term and asked staff to measure results and report before any long-term hiring decisions.

The motion to create the cultural arts office and appoint the director passed; the board also approved adding the marketing/social media support item to the agenda and authorized the contract. Staff will execute the contract and return performance summaries to the board as part of fiscal-year planning.