Amanda Roy Selected as CEO of Greater Hartford Arts Council

The Greater Hartford Arts Council Board of Directors has selected Amanda Roy as the permanent Chief Executive Officer of the organization, effective immediately.

She has been serving as Interim CEO for nearly a year, “leading GHAC through a time of strategic transformation with vision, dedication, and deep community engagement. Her appointment marks a bold and exciting step forward for the organization and the region’s creative future,” the Board’s leadership stated in an email sent out Monday afternoon.

They noted in the email announcement that “With over a decade of service to GHAC, Amanda brings a rare blend of leadership, artistic insight, and community-building expertise. From revitalizing key programs like the Art Star Mural and Hartford Theater Week to championing collaborative efforts across sectors, Amanda has already made an indelible impact. Most recently, she helped lead our signature fundraiser, Artini, featuring 2025 Grammy Award winner Zaccai Curtis—a milestone moment for GHAC.”

“It’s an honor to lead the Greater Hartford Arts Council at this critical moment,” said Amanda Roy. “The arts are vital to our Capitol Region’s well-being, economy, and identity. I’m committed to helping artists and arts organizations not just survive, but truly thrive here, with the care, investment, and commitment they deserve.”

Her influence and impact extends well beyond GHAC. She serves on the boards of the iQuilt Partnership and the Hartford Business Improvement District, and contributes her expertise to advisory committees for the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and Windsor Art Center. Her commitment to cultural policy and public art has shaped projects throughout Greater Hartford and beyond, and she is a past staff member of Connecticut Humanities.

"Amanda is a pace-setting leader who has consistently shown her unwavering commitment to the Hartford arts community," the GHAC Board of Directors indicated. "We are confident that under her leadership, GHAC will continue to thrive and build a truly inclusive and vibrant arts ecosystem."

Additionally, she is also a practicing visual artist, known for her mixed-media work exploring the intersection of sound and nature through handmade inks.  Her work has been on display at multiple locations throughout the region.

Named to both Hartford Business Journal's and Connecticut Magazine’s “40 Under 40” lists, Amanda Roy “brings unmatched passion and purpose to everything she does,” the announcement noted.