Office Of The Mayor Of Seattle: Elevating Black Artists And Recovery With Appointment Of Royal Alley-Barnes
Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced that Royal Alley-Barnes has been appointed interim director of ARTS and the first black woman to hold that position. Director Alley-Barnes will lead ARTS during this critical time of recovery as the next administration seeks out a new permanent director.
“I am incredibly pleased that Royal Alley-Barnes has agreed to serve as acting director of the Department of Arts and Culture. I am confident that Royal is the right person to lead ARTS as our focus is on helping BIPOC and underrepresented artists recover from the significant impact of COVID-19, “said Mayor Durkan.” Royal is not just incredibly adept but also a devoted parishioner and civil servant. We couldn’t be more grateful that she agreed to lead one of Seattle’s most valuable city councils. ”
“There couldn’t have been a more contemporary and excellent selection than Royal Alley-Barnes. She is an extremely talented and generous artist. She has also directed a variety of large city projects for the Parks Department – Business and Contracts.” , Central Region Administration and took over the running of Woodland Park Zoo, “said Larry Gossett, former member of King County Council.” The words “innovative business consultant” do not do justice to the number of local government agencies they use in preparing exams and / or helped develop unique budgeting strategies to save them large sums of money. Your middle name could be changed to “Innovator” and no one would blink. ”
“We couldn’t have a better Art and Culture Director than Royal Alley-Barnes. She is a lifelong advocate for the arts, culture, social justice, education and civic health of our community. Congratulations to Royal, and heartfelt.” Congratulations to us, “said Marie McCaffrey, Executive Director and Founder of HistoryLink.
Royal Alley-Barnes was previously Executive Director of the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center in Seattle Parks and Woodland Park Zoo Director. She also previously worked as a budget and policy analyst in the City Budget Office. As the first black director of ARTS, Director Alley-Barnes will raise the voice of the color communities in Seattle’s art and culture.
The art scene has been badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. From managing shutdowns, quarantines, social distancing and reduced budgets, the pandemic has tossed significant curve balls at creators in Seattle. Seattle Arts worked hard to support their community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Director Alley-Barnes will lead ARTS while Seattle and King County work to stabilize and fund the arts and artists in the Seattle area.
Director Barnes has had a distinguished career bringing art, community and public service together. For more than 40 years, she has lectured and taught generations of artists and presented them across a wide range of artistic media and platforms: from art history and education to a range of visual arts, while at the same time building a community by sharing Seattle’s various Cultures to harness collective power. Her work in the arts has been an overarching influence influencing her work in the public sector as she helped determine the highest and best uses for four urban art institutions.
Royal Alley-Barnes has a long list of awards and accreditations, including the University of Washington’s prestigious Charles E. Odegaard Award for Outstanding Achievement (2008), the City of Seattle Youth Commission’s Policy Leader (2009), and the John C. Little Spirit Award (2010). ) and Ford Motor Company National “Freedom Sister” Award (2012).
Director Alley-Barnes will work closely with the new administration to ensure that ARTS values are represented in a community-driven, inclusive search process for a permanent director.
This news release was prepared by the Seattle Mayor’s Office. The views expressed here are your own.