The City’s ‘big cultural idea’ – Boston Creates

Energy abounds in the city again, and when I heard about the "Cultural Plan" through my local Main Streets organization (Roslindale Village), I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of the planning in any way possible.

 I am not an artist, I would not even consider myself an artistic person; more a lover of the arts in all its many forms and definitions. Architecture and design, music, dance, spoken word, street art, large venue performances, I’ve enjoyed all kinds in my 30+ years of living in Boston. When the Mayor brought Julie Burros here from Chicago – a city well-known for its vibrant art scene – many of us were thrilled. He not only hired someone with the right skills and background, he made her position as Chief of Arts and Culture a cabinet level position, which speaks to his follow through on a campaign promise to increase funding for the ‘Arts’ here in the City.

The beauty of the Cultural Plan is that it is not created strictly within the walls of City Hall. It is to Julie’s and the Mayor’s credit that they are bringing it out into the daylight – they are actually asking our opinions!  And boy do we have opinions and ideas.

In my role as team chair for Roslindale, I have been touched by the passion that people have brought to our discussions. Young, old, non-profit organization workers, for-profit organization workers – the chord that strikes me every time I speak to someone is how willing they are to trust that the outcome will be a positive one.  I understand from the Boston Creates organizers that they have compiled input from more than one thousand people.

Honestly, who could ask for more?

Jocelyn Hutt is a Community Engagement Team Leader in Roslindale.