Samantha Rose Hale (pronouns they/them/theirs) operates from a deep rooted belief that the arts build community that fosters our collective capacity for imagination, as well as preserves stories across generations and mobilizes for social change. As Director of Grants and Programs, Samantha is responsible for the strategic direction and implementation of the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture’s year-round grants and programs for individual artists and organizations, public programs, workshops, and programmatic partnerships. 

Samantha brings an extensive background in performance, arts education and administration, grassroots organizing, nonprofit management, and philanthropy. Over the past two decades, they designed and facilitated public dialogues, community advocacy events, and major arts-based performances. Their early career began at The Community Music Center of Boston and The Center for Teen Empowerment, where they collaborated with community stakeholders to innovate multiple arts and leadership programs in education, therapeutic and community-driven settings throughout the Greater Boston Area. 

Prior to joining the City of Boston, Samantha worked at the Boston Women’s Fund, where they were a thought leader in organizational development and strategy, movement ecology, and emerging grantmaking practices that ultimately shift power and redistribute resources to communities most affected by issues of racial, gender, economic, and social equity. 

Originally from Salem and Danvers, MA, Boston has been home to Samantha since 2001. They hold a Bachelor of Music at Berklee College of Music and a Master of Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education. In their free time, Samantha is also a multi-instrumentalist and performing musician. They love to spend time in nature, cook for others and garden. They live in Dorchester.