Michelle Baxter

Michelle Baxter recently joined Madison Park Development Corporation as the Director of Arts, Culture & Trade (ACT) Roxbury, a cultural economic development program promoting local artists. Baxter took over a 10-year old program that has helped make Dudley Square a popular destination for anyone interested in Roxbury arts and culture.

Baxter brings a wealth of experience in arts programming and administration in Boston’s cultural community to ACT Roxbury, as well as an appreciation for cultural diversity. She recently served as the director of performing arts and outreach for the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Tourism and Special Events. She has also managed Dorchester’s famed Strand Theatre, with responsibilities including oversight of artistic programming, box office management, bookings and contract negotiations.

At the Boston Center for the Arts, Baxter served as director of programs and also for a time as the organization’s interim chief executive officer. During her tenure, she founded an annual series of cultural arts festivals and formed standing advisory boards representing diverse ethnic constituencies.

An accomplished artist herself, Baxter has 10 years of experience directing plays for playwrights and theater companies including Renita Martin, African American Theater Company, David Valdes Greenwood and Company One.

ACT Roxbury establishes annual programming to bring visibility and economic benefit to Roxbury, including the Roxbury Film Festival, celebrating its 10th anniversary this summer; the Roxbury Literary Annual, featuring works by young local writers; the Roxbury Open Studios, celebrating neighborhood artists; and the Roxbury Performance Series, which brings theater companies, dance troupes and authors to Dudley Square.

Much of ACT’s programming takes place at the historic Roxbury Center for Arts at Hibernian Hall, located in Dudley Square. Vacant for many years, the building reopened in 2005 following a complete renovation by Madison Park Community Development Corporation. Hibernian Hall’s centerpiece is its grand ballroom, where much of ACT’s programming occurs, as well as a variety of community meetings and cultural events. Over 12,000 people visit the ballroom annually.