波士頓市長吳弭指派Joseph Henry出任藝術文化長

（Boston Orange編譯）波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）5月21日在波士頓公共圖書館宣佈，市府文化規劃主任約瑟夫・亨利（Joseph Henry）將出任市長藝術與文化長，肯尼・馬斯卡里（Kenny Mascary）任創意經濟高級顧問，推動波士頓市150億美元的創意經濟。

吳弭表示，亨利兼具在地社區理解與國際視野，長期致力於推動文化基礎建設與創意經濟，將有助於延續波士頓結合藝術、文化與城市治理的傳統，確保藝術工作者與文化機構持續發展。亨利曾主導多項重要計畫，包括南端藝術中心翻新、波士頓首個文化基礎設施的總體規劃，以及在布萊頓推動結合公共住宅與音樂排練空間的創新項目，並促成波士頓加入「世界城市文化論壇」，提升國際能見度。

亨利將主掌市長的文化藝術辦公室(MOAC).。他表示，未來將優先推動創意人才培育與留才、拓展文化空間，並提升市民參與文化活動的機會，將藝術與文化視為城市不可或缺的公共基礎設施。在加入波士頓市府前，他曾於倫敦市長辦公室參與多項文化與城市再生計畫，並活躍於國際藝術與建築領域。

肯尼・馬斯卡里（Kenny Mascary）原任市長藝術文化辦公室幕僚長及代理主任。他將轉任高級顧問，負責推動創意經濟策略。

波士頓市府資料顯示，波士頓創意產業年產值達150億美元，雇用約7萬人，近年持續成長。馬斯卡里將協調政策、產業與社區資源，並籌組創意經濟工作小組，促進產業創新與公平發展。

MAYOR MICHELLE WU NAMES JOSEPH HENRY CHIEF OF ARTS AND CULTURE

Kenny Mascary Takes on Expanded Role as Senior Advisor for the Creative Economy

Joseph Henry. (by Malakhai Pearson )

BOSTON – Thursday, May 21, 2026 — Today, Mayor Michelle Wu officially welcomed Joseph Henry as the newChief of the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture (MOAC). The announcement was shared with cultural leaders and contributors to Boston’s arts ecosystem at the Boston Public Library. Henry has been a prominent leader in shaping Boston's cultural infrastructure and elevating the city's creative sector on a global scale. In his previous role, Henry served as the City’s Director of Cultural Planning.

“I’m excited to welcome Joseph Henry as Chief of the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Joseph connects a deep understanding of our neighborhoods, global perspective of Boston’s leadership, and a clear vision for how the creative sector can help build on our long tradition of connecting arts, culture, and civic leadership. I look forward to working together with Joseph to ensure Boston remains a city where artists, cultural organizations, and communities can thrive for generations to come.”

As Director of Cultural Planning, Henry has played a pivotal role in shaping and centering Boston's creative economy through initiatives that prioritize cultural infrastructure and community engagement. His work includes leading key capital projects such as the revitalization of the Boston Center for the Arts in the South End, initiating Boston’s first cultural infrastructure plan, and developing an innovative project in Brighton that integrates music rehearsal spaces with public housing—a first for Boston. Henry also spearheaded efforts to bring more attention to the growth potential of the Creative Economy in Boston, bringing creative enterprises to Downtown and securing Boston's inclusion in the World Cities Culture Forum, raising Boston's international profile as a global creative city. 

“It is an honor to serve as Chief of Arts and Culture. Boston’s creative community is one of our greatest assets, and Mayor Wu and I are committed to hardwiring arts, culture, and the creative economy in Boston’s future to ensure its function as essential public infrastructure for everyone,” said Chief of Arts and Culture Joseph Henry. “As Chief, I will prioritize; growing and retaining our creative workforce, making space for culture to position Boston as a global creative city and expanding participation in culture for all.At a time when trust in institutions matters deeply, arts and culture can help City Hall advance its mission to make Boston a home for everyone and where all belong.”

Prior to his time with the City of Boston, Henry worked for Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan in London, where he advanced high-profile cultural and regeneration projects, including A House for Artists, Eastbank, and the Thames Estuary Production Corridor. His contributions to the global cultural landscape are extensive, including co-curating the award-winning British Pavilion ‘Dancing Before the Moon’ at the 2023 Venice Biennale, which explored themes of identity, culture, and community through innovative architectural and artistic practices. 

Henry holds advanced degrees in Spatial Planning and Urban Design as well as Architecture from London Metropolitan University and the University of Brighton, and was Assistant Professor at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation from 2023 to 2025. He was the 2024 ArtLab Loeb Fellow at Harvard Graduate School of Design.

“Joseph is a thoughtful cultural leader who understands how arts and culture shape the life of a city.” said Justine Simons OBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries and Founder of the World Cities Culture Forum.“During his time working for the Mayor of London he helped advance cultural infrastructure as a driver of good growth for all Londoners. I’m excited to see how Joseph’s vision will support Boston’s creative community and deepen its connections with cultural cities around the world through its membership of the World Cities Culture Forum.”

“It was an honor to serve on the search committee for the next Chief of Arts and Culture. With the Mayor’s selection of Joseph Henry, I am excited for this new chapter of partnership for both our institutions and the broader local arts and culture community in Boston, which will be strengthened by deep engagement, direct support and strong cultural activation across the city,” said David Leonard, President, Boston Public Library.

The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture was established in 2014 and Henry will be its third leader, following Kara Elliott-Ortega, who served from 2018-2025, and Julie Burros who served from 2014-2018.

Mascary Appointed to Support the Growth of the Creative Economy

Joseph Henry (By Malakhai Pearson) 

Kenny Mascary, who previously served as Chief of Staff and Interim Chief for the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, will lead strategic efforts with MOAC to accelerate growth in Boston's $15 billion creative sector as the Senior Advisor for Creative Economy.

In his new role as Senior Advisor for Creative Economy, Mascary’s work will focus on accelerating growth in one of Boston's fastest-growing sectors and supporting creative entrepreneurship across the city. The creative economy employs 70,000 residents and contributes $15 billion annually to Boston's economy. Since 2021, the creative workforce has grown by 5.2% and is projected to increase by another 12% over the next decade, according to 2025 research by MOAC and the Boston Planning Department.

As a member of the Mayor's Cabinet, Mascary will help align cultural policy with Boston's goals for growth, equity, and innovation. Working with community members, cultural leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, and policymakers, Mascary will convene a Creative Economy Taskforce to build a shared vision for Boston's creative future.

"I’m excited to step into this role at a moment when creativity is driving so much of Boston’s growth,” said Senior Advisor for Creative Economy, Kenny Mascary. “I’m eager to help build pathways that uplift creative talent and strengthen this sector, supporting the artists, makers, and cultural leaders who enrich our communities and help make Boston a home for everyone."

Since arriving in Boston from Haiti in 2004, Mascary has dedicated his career to building equitable pathways for creative workers, expanding community-centered cultural opportunities, and fostering environments that recognize and celebrate Boston’s diverse communities. He has contributed to mission-driven organizations including the West End House Boys & Girls Club, Cambridge Youth Programs, Cambridge Public Library, and Now + There (now the Boston Public Art Triennial), before joining the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture as Chief of Staff and Interim Chief. His interdisciplinary background as a cultural producer, mentor, and creative practitioner informs his public-sector approach rooted in collaboration, access, and long-term sector vitality.