Join Us: Open Call for Boston AiR Strategic Planning Facilitator

Term: January 2026 - May 2026 

Background

The City of Boston Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture (MOAC) warmly invites an experienced facilitator to collaborate with us on the Boston Artists-in-Residence (AiR) Strategic Planning Process. 

Starting Friday, November 14, 2025, we welcome your application for the Boston AiR Strategic Planning Facilitator role. If selected, you’ll join us as a key collaborator from approximately early January 2026 to May 30, 2026.

Beginning in 2015, the Boston AiR program embedded Boston-area artists in the City government for their residency terms. In the program, the City brought together artists and City employees who share deep investments in community and social justice to imagine a more creative, equitable, and responsive city government. The artists brought artistic expertise and experience with creative approaches. Artists-in-residence co-designed projects with City partners to test and implement new approaches to City policies and processes. Past projects often responded to the social and political context of that year. In our effort to innovatively relaunch AiR programming, MOAC will hire a team of artists to work as Boston AiR Consultants from late January to May 30. Working with the Strategic Planning Facilitator, this team will design an artists-in-residence program reflective of MOAC’s desire for a thriving, generative, and creative city for artists and Boston residents.

We’re seeking a Strategic Planning Facilitator who excels at guiding artists through meaningful conversation and collaboration, and who brings familiarity with a range of facilitation strategies that can be adapted to meet our needs. In this role, you’ll partner directly with the Artist Program Manager to co-facilitate monthly meetings with the Boston AiR Consultants, help shape program reports and proposals, analyze community input, and provide thoughtful recommendations for AiR programming— including helping to select the AiR consultants. The AiR Program Manager and a team of reviewers will thoughtfully consider every application, focusing on your experience and insights.

Eligibility 

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Must be familiar with living and working in the City of Boston.
• Have the ability to arrange transportation to in-person meetings weekly if requested in the City of Boston.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a skilled facilitator with experience using facilitation strategies that engage artists and creatives.
• Be able to commit to both in-person and virtual attendance at internal meetings and public events as requested by the Artist Program Manager.
• Have a deep commitment to public service and a professional connection to working with communities in the City of Boston.
• Applicants should be adeptly experienced with systems change work within the city government and be confident in applying a critical and creative lens to program design.
• The review team welcomes candidates regardless of race, gender, belief, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical ability.
• Former AiR awardees may apply. 

Primary Responsibilities

Selected applicants must commit to fulfilling the following responsibilities:

• Attending bi-weekly meetings.
• Completing projects assigned by the AiR Program Manager as they relate to program deliverables.
• Attending and hosting Community Arts Salons.
• Serving on a panel to select FY 26 - 27 artists-in-residence
• Attend meetings with city partners, guest presenters, and community members to discuss AiR programming.
• Attend potential supported travel opportunities.
• Co-facilitate meetings for Arist Consultants.
• Assist Program Manager with agendas, proposals, data analysis, and consultant selection.
• Support consultants as a thought partner in designing a sustainable program model.

Timeline

• Application Opens: November 14, 2025
• Open Call for AiR Strategic Planning Facilitator [Virtual Info Session]: November 25, 2025, 5 pm - 6:30 pm https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_pOHoYpy8T0iX-UegPd0BcA
• Application Closes: December 17, 2025 at 11:59 pm
• Review Process: December 2025
• Interviews: In December, selected candidates may be invited to participate in an interview with the Artist Program Manager and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture review team.
• Notification: All applicants, regardless of status, will be notified of their application by the end of January 2026.

Compensation 

The Strategic Planning Facilitator will earn a $9,900.00 fee for services, paid in four installments over the course of their contract. A formal scope will be shared with finalists. The Strategic Planning Facilitator will work approximately 25 hours per month, throughout their contracted term. 

Additional Information

• Travel: The position may require minor local travel and will provide potential opportunities to travel out of state. 

Application Guidelines

To apply, please fill out this application via Submittable.

The application includes the following:

• Resume
• Facilitative or Consulting Work Samples
• Cover Letter articulating your interest in the consulting position

Submissions—digital—must be received by Wednesday, December 17, 2025, by 11:59pm.

To submit to Frequently Asked Questions, or if you need accommodations or assistance with your application, please contact Deen Rawlins-Harris in the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture at deen.rawlinsharris@boston.gov.