Elevating Black Artists and Recovery With Appointment of
royal alley-barnes

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced that royal alley-barnes will be appointed to be the Interim Director of ARTS and the first Black woman to hold the position. Director alley-barnes will lead ARTS during this critical time in recovery while the next administration seeks a new permanent director.  

“I am incredibly excited that royal alley-barnes has agreed to serve as the acting director of the Department of Arts and Culture. I am confident that royal is the right person to lead ARTS as we focus on helping BIPOC and underrepresented artists recovery from the significant impacts of COVID-19,” said Mayor Durkan. “royal is not only incredibly accomplished, but also a devoted community member and public servant. We could not be more grateful that she has agreed to lead one of Seattle’s most treasured City Departments.” 

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