The City of Boston has named Joseph Zeal Henry as Chief of Arts and Culture, and Arts Consulting Group (ACG) extends its congratulations on his appointment. As a member of the Mayor’s Cabinet, the Chief of Arts and Culture plays a key role in shaping the city’s cultural policy, creative economy, and civic life.
The City of Boston, Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture (MOAC) envisions a vibrant and creative Boston, where everyone can access and participate in the arts. The City partners with the local cultural ecosystem to support the creative economy, integrate public art into neighborhoods, and increase accessible opportunities for creative expression. Advocating for investment in creativity will lead to a reimagined, more just Boston where MOAC’s multifaceted impacts will be seen and felt throughout the City. Key areas of work will also include support to the cultural sector through grants and programs, advancement of new and improved cultural facilities and artist workspaces, and the commissioning, review, and care of art in public places, among other visionary initiatives.
A multidisciplinary cultural leader, designer, and urbanist, Joseph brings a distinctive perspective at the intersection of public service, cultural planning, and creative leadership. Building on his current role as Director of Cultural Planning for the City of Boston, he has helped advance the city’s creative economy through investment in cultural infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and major initiatives, including the reimagining of the Boston Center for the Arts, The Strand Theatre, and efforts to strengthen Boston’s cultural planning framework.
Joseph also served as an Assistant Professor at Columbia GSAPP, where his teaching explores infrastructure through cultural and social theories. His broader experience includes leadership roles at the Greater London Authority, a Loeb Fellowship at Harvard GSD, and co-founding Sound Advice, a platform examining spatial inequality through music and narrative.
Through a career spanning government, academia, and cultural practice, Joseph has demonstrated a deep commitment to equity, community engagement, and the role of arts and culture in shaping cities. A recognized voice in contemporary cultural discourse, Joseph co-curated the award-winning British Pavilion at the 2023 Venice Biennale. His work has been featured in leading publications and presented internationally.
Joseph holds a master of arts in spatial planning and urban design from London Metropolitan University and a bachelor of arts (Honours) in architecture from the University of Brighton.
ACG is the leading provider of hands-on interim management, executive search, revenue enhancement, strategic planning & community engagement, and facilities & program planning and research services for the arts and culture industry. ACG consultants are located in communities across the United States and Canada to best serve the needs of our clients. ACG team members have decades of combined senior leadership experience in every artistic and cultural discipline and area of functional management expertise.