Shamain 'Sha' McAllister Named City's New Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism Director: Mayor

NEW HAVEN, CT — Shamain (Sha) McAllister is the new incoming Director for the Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism for the City of New Haven, Mayor Justin Elicker announced.

"The Elm City is heralded as the Cultural Capital of Connecticut and regularly celebrated as an artistic and cultural destination for residents, visitors, and artists in the region, state, and beyond," Elicker shred in a news release.

The Department of Arts and Culture plays a critical role in this effort by assisting, promoting, encouraging, and celebrating artists, arts organizations, and cultural events and festivals in New Haven, Elicker said. The Department also serves as the steward for the city’s municipal collection of public art.

"Every great city has an equally great arts community and New Haven is blessed with an incredible community of local artists, creatives, arts and cultural organizations, museums, venues, galleries, events and festivals. To lead such a wonderful city for the arts, we need an equally wonderful leader and I’m excited that Sha McAllister has answered the call and will be New Haven’s next Director of Arts, Culture and Tourism," Elicker said. "Sha is a proven nonprofit leader in the New Haven arts community who is known for bringing artists and organizations together to make the arts more accessible to the public, expand the reach of the arts into more neighborhoods, and uplift the diversity and stories of our artistic community. I look forward to Sha’s leadership and the contribution she will make in this new role."

McAllister’s work spans the intersection of arts, equity, and community empowerment. Immediately prior to her appointment, McAllister served as the Associate Director of Education & Community Impact for the International Festival of Arts & Ideas – one of the city’s most celebrated annual cultural events. There McAllister was responsible for designing, planning, and managing community-driven programs; building out some of its artistic programming; and managing community relationships and partnerships.

McAllister also recently served as a Community Navigator for the City of New Haven’s Vision 2034 Comprehensive Plan and was a Co-Creation Team Member for the City of New Haven’s first Cultural Equity Plan. She has also previously held key roles with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and Kulturally LIT. She also serves as board vice chair for the Arts Council of Greater New Haven and is also a board member of Best Video Film & Cultural Center.

McAllister brings a strong background in strategic planning, project management, and long-term relationship building. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and Criminal Justice from Albertus Magnus College and is a graduate of the University of Connecticut’s Emerging Leaders of Color Nonprofit Leadership Program.

"It is a true honor to be stepping into the role of Director of Arts, Culture and Tourism for the City of New Haven. The arts in New Haven is like no other in the region. It's filled with originality and authenticity and rooted in community. In this new role, I'm proud to serve not just the artists and creatives of New Haven, but also the residents and city as a whole as we collectively work to support, celebrate and elevate the arts in our city," McAllister said. "My predecessor Adriane Jefferson put an exceptional foundation in place and brought the arts in New Haven into a new chapter. I look forward to building on this foundation and partnering with the many dedicated artistic and cultural leaders and organizations across New Haven."

The Elicker Administration has prioritized increased programming and equity in arts to help ensure increased investments and opportunities among historically under-supported artists and under-represented neighborhoods. These efforts include:

• The development of the city’s first-ever Cultural Equity Plan in 2022;
• The creation and expansion of annual Black Wall Street Festival in 2022;
• The creation of the Neighborhood Cultural Vitality Grant program, including new investments of over $850,000 in American Rescue Plan funding to support over 50 local artists, organizations, and festivals;
• The creation and appointment of the City’s first ever Poet Laureate in 2023;

Magaly Cajigas, Chair of the New Haven Cultural Affairs Commission, shared her excitement about the "new energy" McAllistar will bring to the role.

"She is a welcome addition to the talented and committed staff as they continue to elevate cultural equity in New Haven," Cajigas said.

The Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism is a division of the city’s Economic Development Administration. McAllister’s first day in the new role was yesterday, and she replaces Adriane Jefferson who left the position earlier this year.

The Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism also currently includes Deputy Director Kim Futrell and Community Outreach Coordinator Thabisa Rich.

"In lifting up the arts community over many years, Ms. McAllister is a trusted leader who brings visions to life," said Michael Piscitelli, Economic Development Administrator for the City of New Haven. "Our entire division is looking forward to working with Sha as we elevate the arts citywide.."