She is the first wāhine Māori to take on the role of director of the Tauranga Arts Festival.
Involved with the biennial 10-day festival since 2015, Hall co-composed the specially commissioned waiata, Takiri ko te Ata (A Chorus Dawn), and has trained a community choir to perform it at each festival since.
As well, she was named the festival's first ambassador in 2017.
At the 2017 festival Hall performed her concept show, Rules of Engagement, based on her album of the same name which takes its inspiration from the local land wars and their aftermath.
For the most recent festival in October, Hall worked as an intern, taking on support roles across the entire organisation.
"It is with great humility that I have accepted this incredible opportunity," she said.
"Nothing excites me more than the realm of possibility that a role like festival director provides.
"Community is a huge driver for me, and bringing new and diverse audiences to experience the power of the arts is a dream I look forward to realising for Tauranga Moana."
Trust chair Kathryn Lellman said the festival was fortunate to have recruited someone who had strong roots in the local community, as well as being a respected member of the arts network in New Zealand and beyond.
Hall previously worked for Creative NZ and currently serves as a board member for the New Zealand Music Commission.
"The trust board is so excited to appoint Ria to our festival director role," Lellman said.
"She is a strong advocate for our community, an emerging force in our sector who has huge talent – and we can't wait to see her bring those skills to the growth of our festival.
"We are also delighted that [former festival director] Jo Bond will remain engaged with the festival as a consultant to assist with a smooth transition to Ria and we thank Jo for her huge input into the success of our organisation."
Escape! Festival is the first event on Hall's calendar – the festival of ideas and conversation takes place at Baycourt from May 29-June 1.
