About MAASH

Dan Hunter, MAASH Executive Director

Daniel R. Hunter has 17 years' experience in politics and arts advocacy, serving as Director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (a cabinet appointment requiring Senate confirmation) and running a successful advertising and political consultancy firm in Des Moines. An award-winning playwright, songwriter and humorist, Hunter was appointed in April 2002 by the MAASH-Ed board, Hunter took over the position full time in July 2002.

Hunter is the author of two books, Let's Keep Des Moines a Private Joke and The Search for Iowa (& We Don't Grow Potatoes). He has written several plays including Un Tango en La Noche and La Mujer Sin Cara (The Woman without a Face). He is the composer and writer of Picture Postcard Musical, based on the texts of picture postcards from 1906-1910. He has performed a one-man show of topical humor in song accompanying himself on guitar. He has made numerous radio and television appearances including ABC's Good Morning America, National Public Radio, BBC, and CNN Nightly News.

Hunter was managing director of Boston Playwrights' Theatre at Boston University from 1999 to 2002, and teaches creating writing at Boston University. He previously served in the Iowa State Governor's cabinet as Director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. On his departure, The Des Moines Register wrote in an editorial:

"[Hunter] instilled a renewed vigor in a neglected area of state government. He made people think about art as a way of life…He was able to hopscotch across the state with a message, not from a bureaucrat, but from someone intimately involved with the arts, someone who understands the nuances of the arts community and of those who support the arts."

From 1980 to 1997, he owned and operated Dan Hunter Creative Services. Hunter was earned his B.A. from Hampshire College in Amherst, MA and his M.A. from Boston University.

[Download a high-res headshot. Photo by Amy Beecher Kawa.]

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