Hartford Performs Appoints New Executive Director

The Board of Directors of Hartford Performs announces the appointment of Rie Poirier-Campbell as the new Executive Director of Hartford Performs. Poirier-Campbell will be succeeding Robert Warren, who has left the position due to health reasons.

Most recently Vice President of Advancement at the Connecticut Science Center, Poirier-Campbell has over 25 years of experience in nonprofit management, overseeing strategic direction, governance, fund development, grant writing, community and government relations, marketing and communications. Prior to her time at the Connecticut Science Center, she worked for 12 years at the Greater Hartford Arts Council, serving as the Chief Operating Officer from 2009 to 2012.

In making the announcement, Mike Stotts, Managing Director of Hartford Stage and Co-Chair of Hartford Performs stated, “I am delighted to welcome Rie to Hartford Performs, an organization she knows very well.  As a seasoned arts professional, with a keen interest in the education of Hartford students, she brings all of the qualities and skills we are looking for in our Executive Director.  I look forward to working with Rie to continue to build on the rapid success of the organization, and carry us forward to a new period of growth and impact, integrating the arts in the education of students at all Hartford Public Schools.”

Echoing Stotts’ sentiments, Jackie Coleman, Senior Executive Advisor for the Arts in the Hartford Public Schools said, “Rie has an understanding of the foundation on which Hartford Performs was built. She contributed to numerous community conversations during its evolution. Her background knowledge is an asset we are lucky to capitalize on and I look forward to seeing how she inspires students’ success through the arts.”

Hartford Performs is a nonprofit organization designed to ensure that all Hartford Public School students have access to quality arts education delivered through in-school teaching staff in partnership with Hartford’s vibrant arts community. The group provides a comprehensive arts integration approach that utilizes the resources of community arts providers as partners in the shared goal of raising student achievement.

“All children deserve the kind of arts education that will enliven their learning today and help make them the creative workforce of tomorrow. I'm excited to be joining a team of professionals dedicated to making that happen,” said Poirier-Campbell.