T
he Board of Directors of Arts for Learning, the Virginia Affiliate of Young Audiences, voted at its annual meeting to name Anna Heywood Green as CEO of the organization.
Heywood Green has served as Interim CEO since January 1, following the retirement of former CEO Christine Everly. Prior to January, Heywood Green worked as the organization’s COO; however, she has experience in virtually all facets of the organization, having started at Young Audiences as Scheduling Director on January 4, 2004, more than 21 years ago.
“Anna Heywood Green has the knowledge, experience, and leadership skills to take us forward to greater achievement in supporting childhood education in and through the arts across the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Dr. D. Michael Geller, President of the Board of Directors.
“Anna’s passion for the organization and its mission has been inspiring these past 21 years,” said Kate Roth, Treasurer of the Board of Directors. “We can’t wait to see how the organization flourishes under her care.”
During the 2025-2026 fiscal year that began July 1, Heywood Green’s top priorities include:
- Deepening relationships with the organization’s school and community partners.
- Expanding access to high-quality arts learning for students who need it most.
- Strengthening the organization’s financial foundation to support artists and programs well into the future.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to lead Arts for Learning Virginia into this exciting new chapter,” Heywood Green said. “After more than 20 years with this organization, I know firsthand the incredible impact our professional artists have on students—sparking creativity, curiosity, and confidence across the Commonwealth. I’m eager to build on our strong foundation and work alongside our amazing partners to expand access to arts learning experiences that truly change lives.”
We talked with Anna last year as she celebrated her 20th anniversary with Arts for Learning Virginia. Why does she remain so committed to the organization after so many years? Read more here, and learn about her journey, her proudest moments, and her grandmother’s influence on programming dear to Anna’s heart.
Arts for Learning Virginia (A4L-VA) is the premier arts-in-education nonprofit organization in Virginia with a mission to inspire and engage students in and through the arts. A4L-VA and its roster of professional performing and teaching artists partner with schools, libraries, and community centers to serve tens of thousands of pre-K to 12th grade students each year, helping them realize their full potential through the arts.
