We’re excited to have Julie Burros as our keynote speaker this year. Check out her biography to learn more.

Julie Burros is the Chief of Arts and Culture for the City of Boston, a cabinet level position reporting directly to Mayor Martin J. Walsh. The Arts Cabinet includes the Boston Public Library and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture. As the department head for the very multi-faceted MOAC, she leads Boston Creates, the cultural plan for Boston, the Boston Cultural Council, which makes grants to artists and organization, and the Boston Art Commission, which commissions and approves public art. Other programs include art exhibitions at City Hall, the Poet Laurate program and operation of the historic Strand Theater.

Burros trained as an urban planner and is a 20-year veteran of municipal government public service. Prior to moving to Boston in late 2014 she served as the Director of Cultural Planning for the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs since 2000.