Boston Mayor Martin Walsh received the 2017 Public Leadership in the Arts Award Thursday morning at the United States Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C., according to a press release from the mayor’s office.
The award was presented by the USCM and Americans for the Arts, a nonprofit organization that promotes the advancement of the arts and arts education, according to the release.
Walsh was chosen as the recipient because of his contributions to the arts in Boston over the years.
“These efforts include increasing the budget of the Boston Cultural Council, creating a Cabinet-level position for arts and culture and launching Boston AIR, an artist-in-residence program within City government,” the release stated.
Walsh said he was honored to receive the award, and is dedicated to continuing making the arts a key feature of Boston’s culture.
“Our success is a collaborative effort, bringing together government, artists, residents, businesses and philanthropic partners, working together in support of a common goal,” Walsh said in the release. “[The goal is to make] arts and culture a part of the fabric of everyday life in Boston.”
In 2015, Walsh also launched Boston Creates, a cultural planning process designed to create a cultural shift in the city, which includes integrating the arts into civic life and supporting local artists, according to the release.
“Mayor Walsh has provided both financial support and leadership in the implementation of the Boston Creates Cultural Plan,” the release stated. “He has announced a million-dollar investment in local artists, including creating an artist resource desk at City Hall and a new grant program.”
Julie Burros, chief of arts and culture, wrote in an email that she applauds the decision as Walsh is fully deserving of the award.
“His leadership on behalf of the arts began long before he was elected Mayor, and will continue to have an impact far into the future as we all work together to make Boston a city where the arts and artists can continue to thrive,” Burros wrote.
Jay Dick, senior director of State and Local Government Affairs for Americans for the Arts, emphasized the importance of the arts and the effect they can have on communities.
“The arts help bring communities together,” Dick said. “If you look at places that have embraced the arts as part of their central economy, which Boston is starting [to do] … they’re trying to make the arts and culture a part of the fabric of Boston’s society, so every time that you build a new building, or open a new bus stop, the arts are overlaid, [which] adds to the whole Boston life.”
Dick said he encourages other government officials to devote time to prioritizing the arts in their city as Walsh has.
“[Walsh] embedded several artists into different city agencies to help give another perspective and to have artists be there from the start to incorporate designs to make something more friendly,” Dick said. “From the government’s perspective, they should recognize the arts as valuable and vital to our economy and to our way of life and to our culture.”
Several Boston residents said they value the efforts Walsh has made to advance the arts.
Meghan Mahoney, 28, of the South End, said she appreciates the work Walsh has done for the arts in Boston.
“The mayor should keep doing what he’s doing to move forward with the arts,” Mahoney said. “There’s a lot to see in Boston, like museums and shows at theaters and concerts. The arts give people a lot to do. There’s some really creative stuff if you just go for a walk downtown.”
David Powell, 55, of the South End, said Walsh should continue making art a priority in Boston.
“[Art] tells a lot about the culture and it shows talent and creativity,” Powell said. “[Walsh] should definitely continue his pursuits.”
Mike O’Brien, 32, of Fenway said he respects how arts in Boston often raise awareness on important issues.
“There’s art almost everywhere in Boston, so you get to see a lot of ideas being promoted,” O’Brien said. “Most of the stuff I see has to do with creating awareness for some issues, so it’s nice that the arts can kind of promote other things.
Shannon Larson contributed to the writing of this article.
