Stuart Ashman, Secretary

Department of Cultural Affairs

Stuart A. Ashman is a well-known artist, lecturer and educator with more than three decades of experience in arts management.

Mr. Ashman helped to found the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art in Santa Fe and served as the institution’s Executive Director from July 2000 through August 2003 when he was appointed by Governor Richardson as Cabinet Secretary of the state Department of Cultural Affairs. He has also served as Director of the New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe and as Director/Curator of the Governor’s Gallery of the Museum of Fine Arts. In addition, Mr. Ashman was an Artist in Residence for the New Mexico Arts Division in the Department of Cultural Affairs.

Mr. Ashman was raised in Cuba and moved with his family to the United States in 1960. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Photography and Fine Art from the City University of New York, and continued his studies in photography for several years following graduation.

Mr. Ashman has been called upon by both the U.S. State Department and the State of New Mexico to serve as an expert speaker at a number of international seminars, workshops, and exhibitions. He has extensive experience working with the private sector to secure funding for museums and art institutions.

Created in 1978 by the New Mexico Legislature, the Department of Cultural Affairs represents New Mexico’s dedication to preserving and celebrating the cultural integrity and diversity of our state. In April, 2003 Governor Richardson signed legislation elevating Cultural Affairs to cabinet-level status.

The Department of Cultural Affairs oversees the New Mexico History Museum/Palace of the Governors, New Mexico Museum of Art, Museum of International Folk Art and Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, all located in Santa Fe; the New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo; New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science in Albuquerque; New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces; National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque; New Mexico State Monuments; Office of Archaeological Studies; the New Mexico State Library; as well as New Mexico Arts and the state Historic Preservation Division.

The Department has approximately 550 employees spread throughout its nine divisions, with

another 1,000 or so volunteers putting in more than 70,000 hours each year.