NIAD Art Center announces Executive Director Amanda Eicher is departing after seven years to become executive director of Ability Now Bay Area. The Richmond-based nonprofit named Lucy Zimmerman as interim executive director and Ben Choi as board chair. A nationwide search for a permanent executive director will conclude in spring 2026.
During Eicher’s tenure, NIAD expanded service capacity to 80 artists, tripled its budget, and doubled its staff. The organization redesigned programs to center artists’ goals and leadership, accompanied studio artist Marlon Mullen to major national exhibitions including the Whitney Biennial and the Museum of Modern Art, built Rami’s Fountain in its courtyard to welcome the community back after the pandemic, and launched an art fair program with presentations in Miami, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. NIAD thanked Eicher for strengthening artist leadership and growing the organization’s national profile while remaining rooted in Richmond.
Zimmerman brings more than 15 years of curatorial, museum, and nonprofit experience to the interim role. Over the past year, NIAD’s Exhibitions and Partnerships team produced 67 in-person and virtual exhibitions. Zimmerman has focused on improving internal systems, collaborating across departments and with artists, and expanding NIAD’s exhibition and art fair presence, with upcoming presentations at Open Invitational SF and Felix Art Fair LA.
The leadership change coincides with a board transition. Choi, a current board member and former Richmond vice mayor and councilmember, succeeds outgoing Chair Alexandra McFarland. NIAD also welcomed six new board members—Lisa Rybovich Crallé, Devin Malone, Dave Moore, Maria Naula, Margot Norton, and Lisa Núñez-Hancock—bringing experience in museum curation, nonprofit leadership, corporate finance, education, and arts advocacy.
NIAD said the leadership and board changes position the organization to continue promoting creative expression and independence for artists with disabilities during a period of transition.
![he return of the 8x8 Art Raffle, featuring small works by NIAD artists and friends from the Bay Area art scene A highlight of the afternoon will be tributes honoring two NIAD legends: Ann Meade, who has worked at the studio for 25 years, and Terri Moore, a beloved Studio Support Specialist since 2012. Food and refreshments reflect NIAD’s love for local flavor and inclusivity, with a taco bar by Tacos El Tucán, paletas from Pepitos, and signature cocktails and mocktails by bartender Robin Biles. Tickets are available now on a $0–$50 sliding scale, and raffle tickets will be sold onsite. Organizers encourage attendees to wear their favorite fantasy sports attire and come ready to cheer. WHY: "To celebrate NIAD’s unique community of artists, caregivers, staff, and supporters—and to keep building a more joyful, inclusive Richmond," the organizers said. For more details, visit [NIAD’s website] or head to the Art Center on June 7 for a chance to be part of the action.](https://richmondstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/IMG_9871001.jpg)