Mayor Walsh Appoints Anne Cofer to Public Arts Coordinator

Published on June 03, 2024

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced the appointment of Anne Cofer to Public Arts Coordinator for the City of Syracuse. In this role, Cofer will be responsible for the oversight and supervision of public art planning and coordination initiatives for city government, including advising and assisting the Public Art Commission.

Cofer will work with the Public Art Commission to revise and implement the City’s Public Art Master Plan. Based in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs, she will also ensure the ongoing development of arts programs and services, engage the community in the public art program through educational and outreach activities, maintain the inventory of all public art in the city of Syracuse and pursue grants at the local, state, and federal levels as well as private entities/organizations.

Cofer has over two decades of experience as an arts educator, arts administrator, and practicing artist. Prior to joining City government, Cofer worked in the Syracuse City School District as the program manager for a grant-funded program in Dr. Weeks Elementary School and K-8 Art Teacher at Oasis Academy. In both roles, Cofer sought to connect the schools to the local community and played a key role in the development of Dr. Weeks as a Community School. In addition, Cofer worked as an adjunct professor at Syracuse University in Fiber Arts and 3D Design for the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Cofer received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of the West England, and her Master of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University. Her artwork has been exhibited nationally and regionally, including at the Everson Museum of Art, the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, and the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center. She has also been featured in several national and regional publications including Ceramics: Art and Perception as well as Ceramics Monthly.