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New Arts & Culture department outlines community-focused events and staffing request; budget advanced
Summary
Merrill Kessler, the new arts and culture director, described priorities to build community through arts, expand the creative economy, launch interactive programs and request one transferred FTE plus a half-time program position; committee advanced the $409,570 budget by straw vote.
Merrill Kessler, who is leading Newton's newly created Arts & Culture department, presented an inaugural workplan to the Programs & Services Committee on May 14. Kessler described priorities to build community through arts programming, deepen connections with economic development, expand public and interactive events, and identify outside funding sources.
Kessler previewed two pilot ideas for the $50,000 special-events line: a winter "river of light" lantern-making workshop and parade (borrowed from regional examples) and a large-format, community-wide portrait project to showcase the city's diversity. She also outlined steps to broker partnerships with business owners for vacant storefront activations and to integrate public art into development and transportation projects.
Kessler said she expects to add one FTE via internal transfer and a half-time program person to help run initiatives. "I see my job as looking to where arts and culture can meet people where they are," she told the committee. The committee advanced the Arts & Culture FY27 budget (straw vote) and encouraged continued interdepartmental work to embed arts in economic development and planning.
