Director Of Astoria's Socrates Sculpture Park To Step Down

ASTORIA, QUEENS — The executive director of Socrates Sculpture Park in Astoria announced Wednesday that he will step down from his position leading the outdoor art space.

John Hatfield, who has served as executive director since 2012, will leave the nonprofit as soon as its board of directors has chosen his successor, according to a news release.

"I am so proud of Socrates’ mission and work, especially this year — remaining open and active throughout the pandemic to serve New Yorkers," Hatfield said in a statement. "There have been
many accomplishments during my tenure, and I am confident that even greater accomplishments will follow with a new Executive Director."

During Hatfield's tenure leading the nonprofit arts organization, he oversaw the commission of works by acclaimed artists such as Agnes Denes and Nari Ward, enhanced social and education programming and the expansion of the sculpture park's digital presence.

The nonprofit manages the sculpture park in partnership with the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.

"Over the past nine years, John’s promotion and activation of the space has boldly advanced the creative and equitable vision of this unique art park," Mitchell J. Silver, commissioner of the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, said in a statement.

The park most recently drew acclaim for its current exhibition, "Monuments Now," which features a series of monuments to the historical narratives of marginalized communities.

Socrates Sculpture Park's board of directors has assembled a transition committee to search for a new executive director, who is expected to take the helm by the middle of 2021.