Opening Keynote | Michael Bobbitt

Michael J. Bobbitt is a distinguished theater artist. As the Executive Director of Mass Cultural Council, he is the highest-ranking public official in Massachusetts state government focused on arts and culture. Since 2021, he has led the Agency through several initiatives, including the development of its first Racial Equity Plan, d/Deaf & Disability Equity and Access Plan, and Native American & Indigenous Peoples Equity Plan; the launch of the nation’s first statewide Social Prescribing Initiative; the securing and distribution of $60.1 million in pandemic relief funding; and the design and implementation of a strategic plan for fiscal years 2024-2026. He has been appointed by Governor Maura Healey to serve on the Governor’s Advisory Council on Black Empowerment, the Statewide K-12 Graduation Council, the Mass STEM Advisory Council, and the Massachusetts Cultural Policy Development Advisory Council. Michael is a proud alumnus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa from Dean College and recently completed his MBA with The Global Leaders Institute.

He previously served as Artistic Director of the New Repertory Theatre in Watertown, MA; immediately prior to this he held the same position at the Adventure Theatre-MTC in Maryland for 12 years. While in Maryland Michael led the organization to be a respected regional theatre training company, and a nationally influential professional Theatre for Young Audiences.

Photo: Kevin Thai/Three Circles Studio.