Growing up in Fort Worth, Texas, Cherie Butts was surrounded by culture, but after moving to Massachusetts 14 years ago, she said there was a notable lack of lively art in the area. She’s been striving to fill that gap ever since.
Butts, a Belmont resident, is an accomplished cellular immunologist and was just named the board chair-elect of a prominent Boston performing arts organization.
“It’s really been a journey, but I would say it all stems from my own background, where arts and culture was part of everyone’s world, and wanting to see more of that throughout the city,” Butts said.
She will take over as chair of Vivo Performing Arts, formerly known as Celebrity Series of Boston, in the fall, the organization announced. Vivo, founded in 1938, brings performers and artists from around the world to major stages in Boston and hosts free performances in neighborhoods across the city.
Butts became involved with Vivo shortly after moving to the Bay State. Though her journey began in the audience, Butts quickly became established in the organization, wanting to expand arts and culture in the Boston area.
“I thought it was normal that children were always exposed to arts and culture. When I came to Boston, I realized that’s not the case,” she said.
She credits “The Wiz” — the first Broadway show she saw as a child — for spurring a lifelong passion for the arts.
Butts earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins University, and later earned a doctorate from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She currently leads clinical development activities for multiple sclerosis trials at Biogen in Cambridge. While she’s a scientist by trade, her passion for the arts grounds the work she’s able to do.
“It really is part of my DNA, and I think that it stimulates the creativity that I have as a scientist,” Butts said. “My love of arts has been very lifelong, and I appreciate that. I really do want other children and people throughout the city, no matter your age, to be exposed to it and have an appreciation and love of arts as well.”
Though Vivo primarily caters to arts and culture in Boston, Butts said she hopes to draw in people from outside the city, including her own community in Belmont.
“I hope to be able to say that, as a result of being part of this organization and leading it, you’re going to see communities like Belmont, and even broader Boston, where culture and arts is far more appreciated, and you may even see a change in how communities are interacting,” she said.
