Creative Santa Fe: Strengthening Santa Fe's Creative Economy
Tom Aageson
Tom Aageson is the Executive Director of the Museum of New Mexico Foundation. He was recognized as one of New Mexico Business Weekly's "Ten Power People in the Arts" in New Mexico for 2005 and "Top 100 Power People in New Mexico" in 2006. He co-founded the International Folk Art Market and was a recipient of the Mayor's Arts Award for this new event in Santa Fe. He led the development of New Mexico Creates, an award winning economic development initiative that markets the work of New Mexico artists and artisans in the MNMF's museum shops and on their Internet shops. Santa Fe Mayor David Coss proclaimed October 24, 2006 as "Tom Aageson Day" to recognize his outstanding contributions to the community. In 2007, the United Way, Santa Fe selected him as "Humanitarian of the Year".
Mr. Aageson advises the UNESCO Division of Cultural Expressions and Creative Industries, created the Santa Fe Cultural Leaders group and led the economic development planning for Santa Fe's arts and cultural industries in 2003-2004. He chaired the formation of Creative Santa Fe and the University of New Mexico Bureau of Business and Economic Research study—"The Economic Importance of the Arts and Cultural Industries in Santa Fe County." Aageson is a member of the College of Santa Fe Board of Visitors and is an Advisory Board Member of HomeWise as well as New Mexico Community Capital.
Mr. Aageson earned his MBA from Columbia University, a BFT from Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management and an A.B. from Marquette University.
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