PS21 Welcomes New Artistic and Executive Director Vallejo Gantner
PS21, an emerging hub for contemporary performance located in Chatham, New York, has officially announced the appointment of Vallejo Gantner as its new artistic and executive director. Gantner has already assumed his role and is poised to bring a wealth of experience to the organization.
With a rich history in arts administration, Gantner previously headed the renowned East Village theater PS122 (now known as Performance Space New York) from 2005 to 2017. In a recent interview, he expressed enthusiasm about his new position, stating, “I’m looking forward to maintaining a trajectory of seeking out work by the most exciting artists in the world and demonstrating what can be done outside of the usual urban artistic centers.”
Founded in 2006 by local philanthropist and conservationist Judy Grunberg, PS21 initially showcased performances in a tent on its expansive 100-acre site. In 2018, the center upgraded its facilities by inaugurating a state-of-the-art proscenium stage, complete with roofed open-air seating that can also be transformed into a versatile black box theater. Tragically, just a year later, Grunberg passed away, but not before PS21 hired its first artistic and executive director, Elena Siyanko, who played a pivotal role in establishing the center as a globally recognized venue for innovative music, avant-garde dance, circus arts, and genre-defying performances.
The current season at PS21, which kicks off on May 30 with a performance by the Hatched Ensemble led by South African choreographer Mamela Nyamza, was curated by Siyanko before her departure at the end of last year. She is now focusing on new projects, including a multidisciplinary festival titled Down to Earth in New York City. Nevertheless, Gantner is eager to introduce fresh programming as early as this winter.
“I want to think about what we can do when it’s dark and cold and local businesses are suffering,” Gantner explained. “We’re going to turn that bug into a feature and build out programs that resonate with local audiences.”
