Last year, the city's cultural officer, Gary Steuer, resigned after five years of directing the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy. He moved onto an executive position in a Denver arts foundation, leaving a need for a leader to direct a thriving arts economy in Philadelphia.

Today, Mayor Nutter announced that leader. Helen Haynes, Director of Cultural Affairs at Montgomery County Community College, will take over as the city's chief cultural officer. 

Haynes formerly directed the Coalition of African American and Latino Cultural Organizations. She also has worked with prominent organizations like the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, the African American Museum  and Pew Center for Arts and Heritage.

Addressing press in City Hall, Haynes recognized that art can enrich education, community building and cultural understanding. "We want to insure that arts and culture remain a priority for the city and receive the help and support that they need," she said. Starting in June, Haynes' responsibilities include developing partnerships with local institutions, promoting investments, expanding youth art education and working on wider city plans.

Haynes may not have an easy job, though, as public funding for the arts wanes. The city's Cultural Fund budget for 2015 will be just less than half of what it was four years ago. Mayor Nutter said that the issue of Philadelphia's underfunded school district is a more pressing matter than investment in the arts.