Ms. Una McAlinden
Una found a new calling in the field of arts education when her daughters entered kindergarten in a school that was largely devoid of the arts. Now the proud parent of two college girls, Una continues to be passionately committed to building school and district capacity for the provision of arts learning to all students. Currently, she provides consulting services and facilitation design to schools, districts, and other organizations seeking creative, feasible, and sustainable ways to advance their goals. Prior to the launch of her independent practice, Una served more than ten years as Executive Director of ArtsEd Washington. Taking a systems approach, Una developed programs and strategies that supported school leaders in building strong arts capacity and engaged the community in influencing policy-makers about the importance of arts for a complete education. Una also spent four years as a city Arts Commissioner, was a founding Board member of Leadership Eastside, a regional leadership program, and served ex officio on the Board of the Washington State Arts Alliance throughout her tenure with ArtsEd Washington. She was elected to a 3-year term on the Network Leadership Committee for the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network, also co-chairing their Advocacy Committee. Una has been honored with two state leadership awards in recognition of her efforts to advance K-12 arts education in Washington State. Her background includes a law career in Ireland and Scotland.