Boston Mayor Marty Walsh Receives National Arts Leadership Award

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Photo courtesy of Joyce Linehan 

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh today received 2017 Public Leadership in the Arts Award from the national advocacy group, Americans for the Arts. 

The award was presented to Mayor Walsh at the U.S. Conference ofMayors winter meeting, a gathering of mayors from across the country.  Boston was recognized as a city with a population of 100,000 or more.  Also receiving an award was Satish Hiremath, mayor of Oro Valley, Arizona, a city with under 100,000 residents.

Walsh was cited for “exceptional leadership and commitment to the arts,” said accoding to Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts.

“Art and culture help shape a city’s quality of life and economic vitality,” said Tom Cochran, CEO and executive director of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.  “Mayors understand the connection between the arts, business and tourism and the arts’ significant impact on local economies.”

Shortly after taking office in 2014, Mayor Walsh launched a year-long study and community discussion called Boston Creates, which resulted in a 10-year Cultural Plan to enhance the arts in Boston.  The plan calls for $1 million in artist-in-residence grants and creation of a full-time position to administer the grants.  Walsh also created a cabinet-level position for a Chief of Arts & Culture, and appointed Julie Burros, a national arts advocate from Chicago. 

A Dorchester native and son of Irish immigrants, Martin J. Walsh is the 54th Mayor of Boston.  He was sworn into offie on January 6, 2014. 


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