Margaret Hunt

Margaret Hunt
Director, Colorado Creative Industries and Space to Create

 

Margaret is the Director of Colorado Creative Industries and Space to Create in the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. She was appointed to this position in 2013 after a national search. 

The Creative Industries (CCI) Division is responsible for advancing statewide creative economy strategies. CCI receives funding from the State of Colorado and the National Endowment for the arts.  CCI administers the state’s nationally recognized Creative District Program, supported by The Boettcher Foundation, the state’s Space to Create (affordable live/work spaces for the creative industries workforce and artists in rural communities), the Creative District Community Loan Fund, Art in Public Places and grants to support the arts and career advancement grants for creative entrepreneurs.

Since taking the Director’s position of Colorado Creative Industries, the agency has launched the Colorado Change Leader Program, the Colorado Music Strategy, and Space to Create, the first state-led initiative in the nation for affordable residential and commercial space for artists and the creative workforce.

Margaret led the Utah Division of Arts and Museums for eight years after being appointed by Governor Jon M. Huntsman in 2005.  Margaret brings experience in community and economic development from both the private, for-profit sector as well as state and local government. She served as the Director of Community & Economic Development for Salt Lake City overseeing seven departments including planning, housing, business licensing, engineering, transportation, special events and the arts.   She also served as a loaned executive for the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee and led planning efforts for utility infrastructure as well as the Cultural Olympiad.

While she served as Director of Community & Economic Development for a 7-state regional energy company, Margaret managed global business development and recruitment efforts which resulted in locations of Lucas Aerospace, Zero Halliburton, McDonnell Douglas, Goer Manufacturing as well as regional business centers.  Margaret specialized in recruitment strategies for biomedical and aerospace employers and facilitated development of economic development strategies and action plans in over 200 communities in four western states.

Margaret attended the University of Utah where she majored in business and completed the Kennedy School of Public Administration program at Harvard University.  She also attended Naropa University in Boulder where she earned her degree in Interdisciplinary Studies specializing in visual arts and contemplative practices.  While a full-time student at Naropa, Margaret managed the University’s International Microfinance Training Program for bank managers from over 90 countries, a program sponsored by the World Bank and Accion  International. 

Margaret has received several commendations and awards including the Pathfinder Award from the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce for mentoring and supporting women, and the Utah Governor’s Small Cities Award for her accomplishments in economic development in rural communities.   

Currently, Margaret serves on Denver’s Mayor, Michael Hancock’s Executive Leadership Team for re-envisioning Denver’s Performing Arts Complex, The Next Stage, as well as the Board of the Downtown Denver Theatre District   In 2014, she was elected to the board of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies by her peers.  She has served as a Trustee of the Western States Arts Federation, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, the United Way of the Salt Lake Area, and as Chair of the Downtown Alliance Business Improvement District.

Margaret is also a practicing artist and writer with work hanging in the Salt Lake City International Airport and in private collections.  

 

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