Leadership Changes at Two Major Columbia Arts Institutions
Hudson Hall's Tambra Dillon says goodby. Vallejo Gantner says hello to PS21.
Before the curtain opens on the regional arts and performance season, two of Columbia County’s most prestigious cultural organizations are making changes in their leading roles. At Hudson Hall in Hudson, Executive Director Tambra Dillon has announced she will step down in the fall of 2025 after more than a decade at the helm. Meanwhile, PS21 in Chatham has just appointed Vallejo Gantner as its new artistic and executive director, ushering in a new chapter for the innovative performance venue.
Tambra Dillon to Step Down at Hudson Hall
Dillon, who has served as executive director of Hudson Hall at the historic Hudson Opera House since 2013, announced on April 2 that she will depart later this year. During her tenure, Dillon has ushered in expansions to programming and major physical upgrades. Working alongside founding executive director Gary Schiro, Dillon oversaw the $9.5 million restoration of the 1855 building, which began reopening in 1998, after 55 years of disuse.
“It has been a privilege and an honor to have played a role in Hudson Hall's restoration and metamorphosis into a thriving institution, supported by incredible artists, audiences, patrons, and a phenomenal board and staff,” says Dillon. “I feel strongly that it's time for a new generation to step in and build upon what we—together as a community—have accomplished.”
Under Dillon’s leadership, Hudson Hall hosted contemporary dance, theater, film, music, visual art exhibitions and, for many years, the Winter Walk festival. She also launched and grew new programs, including the Hudson Jazz Festival, the Workforce Development Program for local youth, and the year-round Movies on Mainstreet series. During the pandemic, Dillon helped lead the 2020 Shared Streets Program in partnership with Future Hudson and the City of Hudson, helping to keep people out in Hudson, support local businesses and maintain public access to the arts.
Board President Paul Barrett praised Dillon’s impact on the organization and the city: “Her legacy remains with us and will continue to inspire us. Her impact on Hudson Hall and the entire Hudson community is immeasurable.”
Dillon will be honored at Hudson Hall’s annual fundraiser, The Proprietor’s Ball, on June 14. A search committee has been formed to find a successor.
Vallejo Gantner Arrives at PS21
PS21 in Chatham has named Gantner as its new artistic and executive director. With over 25 years of experience in the United States, Australia, and Ireland, Gantner brings a wide range of experience to the rural theater that sits between the Hudson Valley and Berkshires arts communities. His past roles include artistic director of Performance Space 122, executive and artistic director of the Onassis Foundation USA, and curatorial advisor for BAM.
“I’ve been given the keys to a race car,” Gantner says, speaking with RI during a final trip to his home country of Australia before officially starting work in early April. “The program that’s been built here is incredibly forward-looking and adventurous. I’m excited to build on that foundation and help position PS21 as a center of gravity for the arts.”
A longtime part-time resident of the region, Gantner expressed a deep interest in engaging with the community and developing year-round programming. “I’m interested in what happens in winter—how we create a cultural life that exists even in the quiet times,” he says. “That’s when the local economy is much quieter, and I see an opportunity to build something that supports and inspires the community beyond the summer season.”
Gantner said he hopes to strengthen PS21’s regional partnerships while cultivating a curatorial voice that reflects the site’s natural landscape and cultural context. “It’s about listening—to the audience, to the site, to the artists,” he says. “And not just programming for ticket buyers but creating opportunities for participation and co-creation.”
With experience curating immersive media and technology-forward work, Gantner brings a future-facing sensibility to the role. At the Onassis Foundation, he oversaw the creation of a studio focused on virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence. He’s open to exploring similar interdisciplinary projects at PS21. “The work needs to be excellent, innovative, and world-class,” he says. “But it also needs to engage people meaningfully and speak to those who may not already feel included in the arts.”
This summer’s season—largely curated by outgoing director Elena Siyanko—includes performances by Hatched Ensemble, the Kronos Quartet, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, and Las Guaracheras. PS21 will also host its annual summer festival during Upstate Art Weekend, July 17-21, with a blend of immersive concerts, workshops, and artist-led events across its 100-acre campus.
“We are excited to welcome Vallejo Gantner into this new chapter at PS21,” Alice Kocis and Louis Hedgecock, co-presidents of the PS21 Board of Directors write in a joint statement. “His experience in contemporary performing arts, paired with his passion for strengthening relationships and pushing the boundaries of our institution’s role within greater Columbia County, promises a future where art and community grow together.”
