Black leadership is on the rise in the arts, all across the country! In Seattle, we are also seeing some major movements to elevate the leadership status of a number of worthy arts practitioners.
On September 21, Pacific Northwest Ballet announced the appointment of Kiyon Ross as the new Associate Artistic Director. Arriving first at PNB nearly 25 years ago as a student, Kiyon has held many roles at the organization; from dancer, choreographer, teacher, Director of Company Operations, and co-lead of the organization’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility committee. In this new role, Ross will now become an integral collaborator with Artistic Director, Peter Boal.
Just across the Seattle Center campus at Seattle Children’s Theatre, playwright, poet, educator, and director, Idris Goodwin takes the helm as SCT’s 6th Artistic Director. Goodwin arrives at SCT from his post as Executive Director of The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College where he was also a professor in the theater and dance department. Goodwin’s work is not new to the SCT stage. The 2018/2019 season featured his play originally penned for Stage One Family Theater, AND IN THIS CORNER: Cassius Clay.
Congratulations to Kiyon and Idris!
Learn more about Kiyon here