Airport Foundation MSP, which manages the arts and culture program at MSP International Airport, has hired Ben Owen as the program's new director.
Owen has more than 10 years of experience in public art management for statewide public art agencies. Most recently, he was the program officer with the Minnesota State Arts Board, where he managed the Minnesota Percent for Art in Public Places program, acquiring works of art for communities throughout Minnesota using up to one percent of state-funded capital improvement projects.
Notable examples in Minnesota include the newly developed Riverfront Plaza at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester; the Bioscience and Health Careers Center at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park; and the Wade Municipal Stadium in Duluth.
“We’re absolutely thrilled that Ben has joined our team,” said Jana Webster, executive director, Airport Foundation MSP. “Ben’s background and experience are an ideal fit for managing the multiple arts and music programs that are ongoing at MSP Airport.”
Prior to his work with the Minnesota Arts Board, Owen was based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he served as project coordinator for the Art in Public Places program at New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs and the state arts agency for the state of New Mexico.
