The longtime leader of the Somerville Arts Council said he is leaving at the request of new mayor Jake Wilson after nearly 25 years guiding creative events and programs such as Porchfest, Artbeat and Somerstreets.
“The new Somerville administration has decided that the Somerville Arts Council will go in a new direction and I was asked to leave,” said Greg Jenkins, the departing executive director, on Friday, using the council’s Instagram account.
Jenkins called the move “surprising, and not at all what I wanted.”
A flood of well wishes followed on the post and on Reddit. “For a city that struggled with a civic arts program, Greg did a great job building and changing the culture toward arts and fun in the city,” wrote one user who called themselves a 60-year native who “loves what has developed around his leadership.” Others argued that “things have slowed down or not grown with the needs of the arts community. I think a shakeup has been long needed.”
While commenters acknowledged Wilson’s right to change staff, questions about a new direction proliferated online.
Wilson posted remarks on his decision on Facebook and expressed gratitude for Jenkins’ work.
“The arts in Somerville are at the very core of our identity as a community, and Greg Jenkins has played no small role in keeping our creative spark right at the beating heart of all that we do. After 25 years of exceptional service, we celebrate Greg’s legacy and, with the deepest gratitude, look forward to building on the Arts Council’s strong foundation in innovative arts and culture programming and initiatives,” Wilson wrote. “This is a step toward growth for the Arts Council made with profound respect for the all of the work that got us here.”
The mayor promised to keep the community updated on next steps for the Arts Council, budgeted for $946,351 in the current fiscal year. The director oversees a staff of seven, according to the year’s budget book.
His statement didn’t slow the pace of questions about the goal of the dismissal, who would replace Jenkins or what change in vision was needed. “It seem to have been a blindside to the council, its board and the community. I can see an opportunity for fresh ideas, but we have lost a tremendous source of knowledge on the cusp of the many major SAC events getting underway,” a Facebook user named Georgy Cohen replied to the mayor. “I am hopeful to see a rationale, vision, and plan shared in short order.”
Wilson didn’t reply immediately to a voicemail left Saturday. Jenkins said he had nothing further to add to what he said on Instagram.
This post was updated Feb. 17, 2026, with budget information.