Arts Academy continues to grow its editorial roster with the addition of Josh Hegard, welcoming a versatile storyteller whose work spans global sports brands, cinematic commercial campaigns, music videos and documentary filmmaking.
Hegard brings more than 17 years of editorial experience across commercials, scripted projects, documentaries and branded content, with a portfolio that includes campaigns for Adidas, Dick's Sporting Goods, Nike, Longchamp, T-Mobile, Taco Bell, Jordan, Sony, Budweiser, Harley-Davidson, Porsche and YouTube, along with work for the NFL, NBA, MLB and NWSL.
Before joining Arts Academy, Hegard spent six years on the roster at Arcade, where he became known for a style that blends cinematic pacing, bold visual energy and richly layered sound design. Whether crafting a high-octane sports campaign or a visually driven brand film, Hegard approaches every edit with an instinct for rhythm, atmosphere and emotional momentum.
His work has earned the trust of leading agencies and creative partners across the advertising industry, while his ability to move fluidly between formats has made him a sought-after collaborator on everything from commercial campaigns to long-form storytelling.
"I've always gravitated toward projects that push me creatively," says Hegard. "The most challenging edits are usually the most rewarding because they force you to discover something unexpected. More often than not, that process starts with sound. That's where I find the rhythm and emotion before anything else."
While sports and visually ambitious commercial work have become defining elements of Hegard's portfolio, he has intentionally continued expanding into documentary filmmaking as a way to challenge his creative instincts and evolve as a storyteller. He currently has documentary projects slated for Amazon and Netflix in 2027, continuing a career built on moving between formats rather than staying in one lane.
Originally from rural Wisconsin, Hegard spent his childhood exploring the woods with an active imagination while dreaming of a career in filmmaking. After studying film in San Francisco, he relocated to Los Angeles, joining boutique production company Dirty Robber, where he quickly rose from assistant editor to cutting major music videos for top recording artists. Today, he calls the Oregon countryside home, where he and his two dogs maintain a small vegetable farm appropriately named "Rough Cut."
For Hegard, it was Arts Academy's people as much as its portfolio that made the decision an easy one.
"Arts Academy was a natural fit," he says. "I've long admired Peter and Tommy's craft-based approach, and my work aligns seamlessly with the Arts Academy ethos. It's not just the work — it's their spirit. They march to the beat of their own drum while consistently creating some of the best work in the industry. I feel like I've found my people."
In a joint statement, Arts Academy Edit co-founders Tommy Harden and Peter Wiedensmith share, “We’re incredibly fortunate to have Josh join us! We’re all mesmerized by his work. He brings such a masterful approach to cinematic storytelling; he has a way of bringing every detail together to create surprising and intriguing worlds alive with personal immediacy. He just elevates everything he touches.”
The addition of Hegard continues Arts Academy's investment in editorial talent with distinctive creative voices capable of moving effortlessly across commercial, documentary and entertainment storytelling.
