Mayor Thomas McGee Announces Hiring of LaCrecia Thomson as the City of Lynn Arts and Culture Planner | June 24, 2021

Mayor Thomas McGee is pleased to announced the hiring of LaCrecia Thomson as the new Arts and Culture Planner in the City of Lynn. LaCrecia was selected from a list of several highly-qualified candidates who applied for the position and will be the third member of the recently established Planning Department. The Planning Team are members of the Mayor’s Economic Development Team which includes the Economic Development & Industrial Corporation, Office of Community Development, Inspectional Services Department, Department of Public Works, Lynn Water & Sewer, and Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development.

The Arts and Culture Planner will oversee the day to day operations of the Downtown Lynn Cultural District, serve as the City’s liaison to local arts and culture organizations, the Public Arts Commission, and the Lynn Cultural Council and enhance the City’s creative placemaking as part of our growing city planning initiative.

“One of my highest priorities when I was elected mayor was to create a City of Lynn Planning Department,” said Mayor Thomas M. McGee. “With LaCrecia joining the team, we now have three highly motivated members on the planning staff who are committed to ensuring the City of Lynn is poised for success in the future. The City of Lynn, particularly the downtown, has been infused with numerous new arts and culture opportunities in recent years. I look forward to the working with LaCrecia to build upon that momentum and working together to continue to highlight the vibrant arts and culture community within our city for both residents and visitors.”

“LaCrecia brings a wide range of experience in the creative sector that aligns well with our expectations for the Arts and Culture Planner position,” said Aaron Clausen, Lynn Principal Planner. “We look forward to welcoming LaCrecia to the Planning Department and the City, and to take the lead in engaging stakeholders operating in the arts, culture, and creative economy as well as the broader community to grow our arts and cultural offerings.

“I am excited about this opportunity to become a member of the City of Lynn’s Planning Department to preserve and promote the arts and culture of the City,” said LaCrecia Thomson. “I was drawn to Lynn’s history, its diverse community, and its active and rich art and culture scene. Lynn’s creative and cultural partners, and the support of city government provide a solid foundation for success in this role. I’m very much looking forward to becoming part of this community and contributing to its vibrancy and continued cultivation of a sense of place as the City of Lynn’s Arts & Culture Planner.”

LaCrecia comes from Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she has extensive experience engaging with the Arts and Culture Community. She most recently worked at Mount Mary University as an advisor in the Grace Scholars Program to increase the academic and social engagement for minority and underrepresented students. Previously, she was the Cultural Tourism Manager for the VISIT Milwaukee, which was the first position of its kind in the State of Wisconsin. While there, she coordinated arts and culture tours and programming for visitors and residents and established strong relationships with city leaders on diversity and multicultural initiatives. She also has experience working in the non-profit sector creating multi-cultural, interactive marketing campaigns to attract and interact with donors at the Milwaukee Art Museum and 88.9 Radio Milwaukee, WYMS.

LaCrecia will begin in her new role with the City of Lynn Planning Department on August 2nd for a contractual term of three years.