Creative District Fellow - North Adams

Who We Are MassDevelopment, the state's development finance agency and land bank, delivers financing solutions, real estate expertise, and other assistance to strengthen and grow the Massachusetts economy. We partner with businesses, nonprofits, developers, banks, and municipalities to help create jobs, build housing, and foster vibrant communities across the state. We value diverse perspectives, encourage innovation, and are committed to building a stronger Massachusetts. About the Creative District Pilot - North Adams Building on the success of its Creative Cities program, MassDevelopment, through a partnership with the Barr Foundation, is launching a new Creative District Pilot in North Adams. This initiative explores how arts and culture-driven revitalization can power economic growth in a smaller, post-industrial city. With its strong mix of cultural institutions, creative entrepreneurs, and regional identity, North Adams is uniquely positioned to harness its creative economy to support small businesses, activate downtown, and drive equitable growth. The pilot will strengthen coordination across artists, cultural organizations, businesses, and local leaders through dedicated, on-the-ground capacity and a shared district strategy. It also serves as a learning opportunity to adapt proven place-based development models for rural and legacy communities across the Commonwealth. The launch of the pilot is contingent on final funding approval from the Barr Foundation, expected in June 2026. The Creative District Fellow is a full-time, three-year role with MassDevelopment, embedded in North Adams to lead the implementation and growth of the Creative City model. This role blends strategy, partnership-building, and hands-on execution, guiding cross-sector collaboration, advancing high-impact projects, and connecting creative assets to real economic opportunity. Ideal for a mid-career professional, the Fellow thrives in dynamic civic environments, builds trust across diverse stakeholders, and brings a strong understanding of how arts, culture, real estate, and small business ecosystems come together to drive inclusive, place-based development.

Start Date:

July 1, 2026 |

Term:

Three-Year Appointment Location & Travel Requirements:

This position is based North Adams and requires regular on-site presence within that community. The role also includes occasional travel to Boston and other Gateway Cities. What You'll Do Lead the development and execution of a district-level Creative City workplan aligned with pilot goals, delivering early visible wins while advancing a long-term creative economy strategy. Identify and drive catalytic opportunities across arts and cultural production, small business growth, real estate activation, placemaking, and downtown vitality. Serve as the lead facilitator of a dynamic public-private partnership, strengthening governance structures, clarifying roles, and fostering shared decision-making. Build and maintain trusted relationships with artists, creative entrepreneurs, property owners, cultural institutions, residents, and municipal leaders, while expanding leadership participation to reflect the community's diversity and strengths. Advance high-impact projects that activate underutilized assets and build local wealth by connecting creative entrepreneurs and cultural organizations to financing, grants, and technical assistance. Identify co-investment and external funding opportunities and manage consultants and partners to ensure alignment with district priorities. Champion North Adams as a vibrant hub of culture and commerce by supporting business recruitment, retention, and expansion within the creative economy, while strengthening the narrative around its role as a key economic driver. Collaborate closely with internal teams and external partners, contributing to cohort-based learning and cross-district knowledge sharing. Support reporting, storytelling, and data collection efforts to measure impact and communicate progress to partners and funders. What We're Looking For Bachelor's degree (master's preferred) in planning, public policy, real estate, arts administration, economics, sustainability, or related field, or equivalent professional experience. 3-7 years of experience in community development, creative economy strategy, urban planning, economic development, arts-based revitalization, or real estate. Demonstrated understanding of how arts and culture intersect with real estate development, small business ecosystems, and place-based growth. Strong ability to build trust across cultural, institutional, and civic boundaries. Entrepreneurial mindset with experience launching, managing, or scaling initiatives. Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills. Ability to manage multiple projects, partnerships, and timelines simultaneously. Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends for community meetings and events.

Benefits We Offer:

Comprehensive Health Coverage:

Including medical, dental, and vision insurance to keep you and your family healthy.

Retirement Plans:

Robust 401(a) and 457(b) plans with an agency match to help you plan for your future.

Paid Time Off:

Generous vacation, sickness, personal leave, and holidays allowing you to refresh and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Hybrid Work Environment:

Helps you minimize the burden of a daily commute, for that ideal balance of work and personal life.

Professional Development:

Opportunities for continuous learning to help advance your career. Never stop learning with our tuition reimbursement and Student Loan Reimbursement programs.

Wellness Programs:

Access to wellness resources and programs to support your overall well-being. Learn More About the Fellowship Program To better understand the unique structure, impact, and day-to-day experience of the Fellowship, candidates are strongly encouraged to view the program overview video available on the MassDevelopment Gateway Network page: Gateway Network | Mass Development It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.