Greater Lowell Community Foundation Names Jes O’Hearn Director of Arts Initiatives
Appointment Reflects Program Growth Following Successful Arts Elevate Pilot
LOWELL, MA – Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) announced the appointment of Jes O’Hearn as Director of Arts Initiatives. In this role, O’Hearn will provide operational leadership for Arts Elevate — GLCF’s embedded community artist program — and Mosaic Lowell, GLCF’s initiative supporting Greater Lowell’s creative economy.
O’Hearn brings deep regional roots and a proven track record of connecting artists with Greater Lowell communities. As founding Director of Mosaic Lowell, she has built programming, partnerships, and professional development opportunities that have strengthened the region’s arts ecosystem over multiple years. Her expanded portfolio reflects GLCF’s commitment to integrating its arts initiatives under unified, experienced leadership.
The appointment advances a core priority of GLCF’s 2025-2028 Strategic Plan: the advancement and sustainability of the regional arts infrastructure. By consolidating Arts Elevate and Mosaic Lowell under dedicated, unified leadership, GLCF is building the lasting organizational capacity needed to sustain and grow arts and culture programming across the region.
“Jes brings exactly the combination of community relationships and operational depth that Arts Elevate needs as it moves into its next phase,” said Jay Linnehan, President & CEO of GLCF. “Her leadership of Mosaic Lowell has demonstrated what it looks like to build trust and sustainability with Greater Lowell’s arts community, and we are confident she will bring that same commitment to Arts Elevate.”
“In a moment when many arts organizations are navigating uncertainty, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation is making a powerful statement about the value of arts and culture to our communities,” shared O’Hearn. “As an anchor institution for the region, GLCF’s continued investment affirms that the arts are fundamental to economic development, individual and community well-being, and the vibrant, connected communities we all want to call home.”
The appointment follows a milestone year for Arts Elevate. The program’s fall 2025 pilot embedded four professional artists within youth-serving nonprofit organizations across Greater Lowell, and a May 2026 Showcase at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts brought together artists, partners, community members, and funders to celebrate program outcomes.
“When people create in trusted community spaces — with artists who truly see them — transformation follows,” said Jennifer Aradhya, VP of Marketing, Programs & Strategy and founder of Arts Elevate. “The pilot showed us that this model works. What we are building now is a solid infrastructure to scale that impact.”
Aradhya will retain strategic oversight of Arts Elevate. The Director of Arts Initiatives structure houses both Arts Elevate and Mosaic Lowell within GLCF’s program portfolio.
Alongside this appointment, GLCF has named Laura Scarlett Tavares to the role of Program Manager, supporting both Arts Elevate and Mosaic Lowell. GLCF will continue to expand this team over the summer to meet the increased scope of combined programming.
Arts Elevate’s expansion roadmap includes grant opportunities in 2026 — an Embedded Artist Support Grant and additional Arts Equity Grants — followed by pilot programs serving veterans and seniors in future years.
Arts Elevate and Mosaic Lowell initiatives exist thanks to the support of the Barr Foundation through its Creative Commonwealth Initiative. Greater Lowell Community Foundation has been one of only eight community foundations selected by Barr to help advance more diverse, equitable arts and creative expression across Massachusetts. Through this initiative, the Barr Foundation invests in community foundations as place-based philanthropies with unique potential to serve as civic leaders and catalysts for positive change, helping to strengthen resources for local arts ecosystems and support more vibrant, connected communities.
About the Greater Lowell Community Foundation
Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 500 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of over $77 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $55 million to the Greater Lowell community.
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CAPTION: GLCF announced the appointment of Jes O’Hearn as Director of Arts Initiatives
