Arts for Learning NW (ALNW), Oregon and Southwest Washington’s leading arts education organization, is pleased to announce the appointment of Briana Linden as its new Executive Director. Linden brings deep roots in Oregon’s arts education ecosystem, nearly three decades of leadership in the field, and more than 17 years of service with Arts for Learning NW to this role.

Linden has collaborated with many of Oregon’s most respected arts and education institutions, including serving as founding leadership with The Right Brain Initiative, and holding roles with Portland Art Museum and Artist Repertory Theatre, among others. Her long-standing relationship with ALNW includes serving as Programs Director and later as a consultant, where she led transformative initiatives such as Teaching Artist Studio and Arts, Care, and Connection, a statewide project supporting student well-being through the arts.

Founded in 1958, Arts for Learning NW has connected generations of students with high-quality, culturally responsive arts learning experiences. Like many organizations across the arts and arts education sector, ALNW has faced significant fiscal challenges in recent years. Over the past several months, the organization made the difficult but necessary decision to reduce staffing and operations in order to align with available resources and establish a path toward long-term fiscal health.

“These decisions were not easy, but they were essential,” said Alexia Wellons, Board Chair of Arts for Learning NW. “They allowed us to stabilize the organization and create the conditions for thoughtful rebuilding. Hiring Briana Linden as Executive Director is our first major step forward. Her deep knowledge of the field, long history with ALNW, and relationship-centered leadership make her uniquely suited to guide this next chapter.”

Linden is widely known for her visionary, community-centered approach to leadership, grounded in care, collaboration, and long-standing relationships across Oregon’s arts education field.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the way our community has shown up for Arts for Learning,” Linden said. “This support speaks to a shared belief in the power of arts education to nurture connection, curiosity, and possibility for our students and our broader community. The work artists do in schools is essential in this moment—it cultivates belonging, strengthens critical thinking, and offers light in times of uncertainty. It’s a true honor to steward the next chapter of Arts for Learning alongside such a committed and inspiring community of artists and partners.”

“This year has begun with real momentum—we’ve already worked with 9,280 students who’ve had nearly 24,000 experiences!” said Chief Programs Officer Kim Strelchun. “At a time when young people need connection and creative expression more than ever, the arts help students make sense of the world around them. Arts for Learning is poised
to meet the moment.”

As ALNW moves into this period of renewal, the organization is calling on its community—artists, educators, funders, partners, and advocates—to remain engaged in ensuring arts education remains robust, vital, and abundant for children across Oregon and Southwest Washington. Research and lived experience continue to show that arts education supports student well-being, academic engagement, critical thinking, and a sense of belonging—needs that are more urgent than ever for young people navigating a rapidly changing world.

“Arts for Learning has made it through this challenging moment because of the care and commitment of our community,” added Wellons. “As we rebuild, we invite our supporters to continue standing with us—to help ensure that every child has access to the creative experiences they deserve.”