Artadia is thrilled to announce the appointment of Patton Hindle as its next Executive Director. With more than a decade of experience working with artists, art institutions, and organizations, Hindle steps into the role as a longtime Artadia supporter and collaborator. She will assume her new position on October 23.

Hindle joins Artadia from Kickstarter, where she established and led Forward Funds, the company’s first social impact program. Identifying a need for a dedicated initiative to engage charitable organizations and mission-based projects, Hindle secured nearly $1.2 million in funding to build the program which supported nearly 700 creators and greatly advanced diversity in the creative sector. Previously, as Head of Arts at Kickstarter, Hindle facilitated the flow of $175 million to artists and cultural organizations who were able to pursue ambitious projects through crowdfunding and collaboration with creative collectives, institutions, and art organizations.

“Patton Hindle is an innovator, champion, and connector of creative communities,” say Aurele Danoff Pelaia and Laura Roberson Fisch, Co-chairs of Artadia’s Board of Directors and members of the organization’s Executive Director search committee. “She brings her broad knowledge of the creative field and a deep understanding of the complex nature of artists’ practices to Artadia, and we look forward to seeing her forward-thinking vision lead the organization through further growth as we approach our 25th anniversary next year.”

Artadia has been led by interim executive director Suzy Delvalle since the departure of Carolyn Ramo in May 2023. Upon her appointment, Hindle will work closely with the Board of Directors to continue Artadia’s work in placing artists at the center of their own communities and supporting their work as an essential part of a thriving society.

“I am incredibly honored by the opportunity to continue shaping the impactful work of Artadia,” says Hindle. “Over the last few years we watched artists disperse broadly across the country and invest themselves in their localities. Artadia is uniquely positioned to support artists’ practices as they grow in community and to meet them where they live. As much of my work to-date has been geographically diverse, I look forward to bringing those relationships and skills to Artadia as we continue to strengthen the role of the artist in society.”

Hindle also serves as a business and strategy advisor for artists and creative organizations including the Wide Awakes and the Mellon Foundation – programs that focus on the collective and societal impact of bringing artists and creative communities together. As a board member of organizations such as The Laundromat Project and Arts Funders Forum, and mentor for NEW INC., Hindle has obtained a unique perspective and network spanning artistic practice, social impact, and business strategy that she will ultimately bring to her role at Artadia.

“I am thrilled for Patton Hindle to be leading the Artadia team,” says artist Hank Willis Thomas – a 2007 Artadia awardee and long-time collaborator of Hindle’s. “The energy, integrity, resources, and vision she brings to her work with artists and creative communities is palpable and inspiring. I can’t wait to see how she will continue to grow in her new role and further Artadia’s visionary mission!”