New director at Flushing Town Hall

Ellen Kodadek has been appointed as the new Executive and Artistic Director of Flushing Town Hall.
Prior to accepting her new role at Flushing Town Hall, Kodadek was the director and chief executive officer of Southern Tier Celebrates, located in Binghamton. She has also previously worked for the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Snug Harbor Culture Center and 171 Cedar Arts Center.
In 2007, Kodadek was a recipient of the Mayor Matthew T. Ryan’s Restore Pride Award for Community Development. She also received the Broome County Arts Council Heart of the Arts Award in 2005.
Kodadek, who was born and raised in Manhattan, said that there were two main reasons that brought her to Flushing Town Hall. Along with being given “a wonderful opportunity to work with an amazing arts organization,” the move has put her closer to her family, including her 14-month-old grandson.
Even before coming to Flushing Town Hall, Kodadek was very familiar with it.
“Flushing Town Hall has always had a great reputation for high quality artists [and] for the impact on the community,” she said.
Kodadek officially started about four weeks ago. She said that many members of the community have stopped in to visit and say hello, included elected officials and members of the arts community. She also said that the board and staff of Flushing Town Hall have been very welcoming and helpful.
“Ellen brings a breadth of professional experience, as well as a strong passion for performing and fine arts, to her new position,” said Carol Conslato, the Vice President of Flushing Town Hall’s Board of Directors who is also the Director of Public Affairs at Consolidated Edison. “In every previous role, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, which will allow her to lead Flushing Town Hall in a new direction while ensuring it remains a vital part of New York City and the arts community.”
Now a resident of Astoria, Kodadek said that she is getting to know Queens better and loves the borough. She also said that, as the director of an organization that is important to the community, she thinks it is important for her to reside in the same borough.
“I think it’s always challenging when you move to a new community really getting to understand the community and what their interests are and how you can continue to ensure that your arts organization is reaching out to the community,” she said.
As the new Executive and Artistic Director of Flushing Town Hall, Kodadek has many goals. They include continuing to present “wonderful” programming, increasing community outreach, making it more of a destination for both New York City residents and tourists, finding more ways to collaborate with community groups and other arts organizations and looking at ways to utilize its garden even further.
“It certainly is very exciting for me to be here,” Kodadek said.
Flushing Town Hall is located at 137-35 Northern Boulevard. For more information, visit www.flushingtownhall.org or call 718-463-7700.