New York City Children's Theater (NYCCT) has selected Cathy Hung as Executive Director, following an executive search process led by Arts Consulting Group (ACG). She began her tenure on February 6, 2023.
Hung brings to NYCCT diversified executive experience in organizational assessment, strategic planning, community building, and Board development and governance. Prior to joining NYCCT, Hung served as Executive Director at Young Audiences New York City, where she managed two Community Schools that serve more than 800 students annually. Hung also led revenue enhancement initiatives, achieving the highest fundraiser goal in the organization’s history of nearly $900,000. Previously, Hung held the role of Executive Director at Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning. Throughout her tenure, Hung overhauled the organization's artistic direction, strengthened the Board’s capacity, and successfully completed a five-year Strategic Plan. Hung championed comprehensive program development, introducing a wide range of impactful community-focused events and arts projects, including Queens International Children’s Festival; Making Move Dance Festival; Thursday Night Jazz Series; Downtown International Jazz Festival; ARTWORKS, a year-long dance and visual art residency programs; and Jamaica Flux, a site-specific public art installation. Under her guidance, the number of visitors at Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning doubled, and the budget of the Education Department quadrupled from $100,000 to $400,000.
Hung also held senior-level positions at the New York Chinese Cultural Center as Executive Director, Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts as Deputy Director, and Intercultural Communities Project as Executive Director.
In 2020, she was appointed by New York City Mayor De Blasio to serve on the Advisory Council for Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism as a member of the COVID-19 recovery task force. She has also served on Boards for Queens Museum, New Yorkers for Culture and Arts, Kupferberg Center for the Arts, and Greater Jamaica Development Corporation. Hung holds a bachelor of arts in English literature from Tamkung University in Taipei and a master of arts in performing arts administration from New York University.
In making the announcement, New York City Children's Theater Board Chair Marilyn Yanowitch said, “We are thrilled that Cathy Hung has accepted the position of Executive Director. We believe she is perfect for this important role. Her knowledge, experience, and professionalism are immediately apparent. I do not think we could have found anyone more suited for Executive Director of New York City Children’s Theater.”
“I am honored to join a stellar cast of professional staff, Board of Directors, and Artistic Director Barbara Zinn Krieger to be part of the NYCCT family,” said Hung. “I am most excited about NYCCT's mission that supports New York City children's development through creative storytelling that also spreads joy, love, and promotes imagination and emotional learning. I look forward to working with the team to further the mission to broader audiences.”
"This is a truly wonderful moment for Cathy and NYCCT, its board, staff, visitors, and students" said ACG Vice President Adam Davis. "Cathy is an exemplary leader, committed to community-building and continuous learning. Her creative vision and passion for the arts, culture and education will move NYCCT to the next exciting chapter of its growth.”
March 2023