Center for Contemporary Arts Announces New Executive Director

Stuart Ashman returns to Santa Fe to lead the arts organization

The Center for Contemporary Arts announced Tuesday that Stuart Ashman, a longtime administrator for various museums both local and elsewhere, will take on the role of executive director beginning Aug. 8.

Originally from Santa Fe, Ashman previously served as the director of the New Mexico Museum of Art as well as the executive director for the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. He also worked alongside former Gov. Bill Richardson and Rep. J Paul Taylor to draft legislation that was key in designating the state Department of Cultural Affairs as a cabinet-level entity. He will exit his current position as the director for the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, California, in July.

"I think this is a great opportunity to return to Santa Fe and a great time for contemporary arts there," Ashman tells SFR. "The fact that CCA has existed for 37 years with mostly free admission is incredible, and Santa Fe continues to be the place for contemporary arts in the region."
CCA board chair Paul Hultin shares Ashman's excitement, saying, "We're very honored to have Stuart's leadership for the next five years; he's got great talent, and we're thrilled that he's going to make CCA his home."
Ashman cites the CCA's Muñoz Waxman Gallery and Cinematheque as innovative and exciting features that have long served Santa Fe's arts scene, adding that he also has his own vision for strengthening CCA's niche within the local arts world, including hearing from Santa Feans.
"There are obviously other great contemporary museums in Santa Fe, like SITE Santa Fe or the Museum of Art, and Axle Contemporary should be mentioned as well," he notes. "I want to hear input from the community ... This is a great moment for contemporary arts in Santa Fe."
Letters to the Editor

Mail letters to PO Box 4910 Santa Fe, NM 87502 or email them to editor[at]sfreporter.com. Letters (no more than 200 words) should refer to specific articles in the Reporter. Letters will be edited for space and clarity.

We also welcome you to follow SFR on social media (on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and comment there. You can also email specific staff members from our contact page.