FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 8, 2022

 United Arts Announces New President and CEO

 [Raleigh, N.C.]  – The United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County is pleased to announce that Jennifer Dwyer McEwen (Jenn) will be the organization’s next President and CEO. McEwen comes to United Arts from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina where she was the town’s Director of Cultural Affairs for the last five years. Prior to her time on Hilton Head, she was the Executive Director at Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company in Atlanta, Georgia.

“I am thrilled to be joining the incredible team at United Arts,” said McEwen. “The arts are an important tool in economic development, education, and building measurable social cohesion. It is an honor to be trusted to lead this organization that is so historically important to the region and to join the vibrant community that is Raleigh and Wake County.”

McEwen is an alumna of the 2020 Leadership South Carolina class, a 2017 National Arts Strategies Chief Executive Fellow, and an alumna of the 2010 Arts Leaders of Metro Atlanta. She was named to Georgia Trend Magazine’s 40 Under 40 list in 2016 and was recognized in 2013 by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits with a Nonprofit Impact Award. McEwen holds a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from the University of New Orleans and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

“After a thorough and extensive search, we are excited to have Jenn as the new leader for our organization. Jenn brings many assets to her new position including experience in equity-building across communities, fundraising savvy with corporate and individual donors, and strategic vision,” said United Arts Board of Directors Chair Heather Zucchino.

She continued, “United Arts is grateful to our Vice President for Education and Community Programs, Ragen Carlile, for stepping into the role of interim president for the past ten months. Her leadership and dedication gave the United Arts staff and board the stability and confidence needed to continue to serve the arts community during this transition time.”

McEwen will begin her position as President and CEO on August 22. Please join United Arts staff and Board of Directors in welcoming her to Wake County. With her experience and passion for the arts, McEwen will build on the organization’s history and lead United Arts to even greater successes in the future.

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About United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County: The United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County is designated by the Wake County Commissioners and the North Carolina Arts Council as the official local arts agency for Wake County. As a private nonprofit, United Arts has worked for more than 30 years to build a better Raleigh and Wake County through the support of and advocacy for the arts. United Arts partners with businesses, individuals, foundations, and government to provide life-changing arts programming and support to our schools and community, resources and opportunities for artists, and arts integration training for teachers. Learn more at www.UnitedArts.org.