Meryl Kessler, Director of the new Arts and Culture Department (photo: Charlie Johnson)
Meryl Kessler is stepping into her new role as director of Newton’s new Arts and Culture Department with a focus on strengthening connections across the city’s arts community.
The department – and her position leading — it received final approval in the January 20, 2025 City Council meeting. Kessler told Fig City News that arts and culture should not exist on the margins of city life, but should be woven directly into how Newton functions and grows.
“I see this department as a connector between the City and the arts community,” Kessler said. “Here in Newton, we have a deep bench of local talent.”
Why now?
Newton is home to dozens of arts and culture organizations spanning disciplines from theater and music to visual art and dance, along with many independent artists.
“We’ve all witnessed the fractures and the divisiveness in society at large and even within our small community here in Newton,” she said. “Arts and culture is an important civic tool to bring people together, to encourage conversation, and honestly, to spark joy in the community.”
Kessler explained how during Mayor Marc Laredo’ ‘s 2025 campaign, one of the main themes that emerged was significant support for creating a dedicated arts and culture department. She said the Mayor shares the same view Kessler has — that through a new Arts and Culture Department, not only can the community grow stronger, but it can attract and support local businesses in Newton.
She explained that the department will work flexibly across various departments in the city to integrate arts and culture into their operations.
The idea of a dedicated Arts and Culture Department has circulated in Newton for years.
In September 2021, the Patch reported that a team of students from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University conducted an…