Vice Studios Names ThankYouX First Artist in Residence
The studio's new role gives the artist a collaborative part in developing intellectual property and visual world-building for its titles.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in People
Vice Studios has appointed Ryan Wilson, known professionally as ThankYouX, as its first artist in residence, the studio's president Amy Powell confirmed. Wilson will work with development and creative teams to originate new intellectual property and consult on visual world-building.
Why it matters
The appointment places a contemporary artist inside a studio's development process, a structure that blends fine art with entertainment production. It signals how studios may look to visual artists for original concepts and hybrid narrative formats.
The appointment is a single named hire with no disclosed budget, term length, or project list. Its practical effect on upcoming Vice Studios releases has not been detailed.
The players
Vice Studios
Vice Studios is the entertainment production arm of Vice Media, known for documentary and digital content and now expanding into original intellectual property development.
Amy Powell
Amy Powell is a television and media executive who previously held roles at Amazon, Brillstein Creative Partners and Paramount Pictures, and who exited as president of Paramount Television in 2018.
ThankYouX
ThankYouX is the professional name of artist Ryan Wilson, whose work has been presented at major institutions including Art Basel, Sotheby's, Christie's and the Museum of the Future in Dubai.
The details
Vice Studios president Amy Powell confirmed that Ryan Wilson, known as ThankYouX, will collaborate with development and creative teams. He will originate new intellectual property, consult on visual world-building for studio titles, and conceptualize hybrid formats bridging contemporary art, entertainment and technology. Wilson began his art career in 2009, and his work has been shown at Art Basel, Sotheby's, Christie's and the Museum of the Future in Dubai.
Timeline
2009: Wilson begins his art career.
2018: Powell exits as president of Paramount Television.
November 2, 2026: Vice Studios confirms the artist-in-residence appointment.
Market Landscape
The move follows a broader pattern of entertainment companies seeking original intellectual property, and Powell's career path through Amazon and Paramount places her among executives who have sought new creative sources. The studio's choice of a fine artist rather than a traditional writer or showrunner marks a distinct approach within that competitive field.
For consumers, the appointment does not yet change how or where Vice Studios content is available. Any effect on viewing options will depend on which projects Wilson's input eventually reaches.
The takeaway
Studios are increasingly recruiting outside traditional screenwriting pipelines for original concepts. Readers following creative industry hiring can watch whether this residency model spreads to other studios.
Further reading
For more on the people shaping entertainment and media deals, explore People coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
