Ben Cooney: Interim Director of Operations

Ben Cooney (he/him) is a big picture strategic thinker with over 15 years of experience leading large and small scale projects and events in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. As Interim Director of Operations, Ben seeks to bring a goal-centered and achievements driven approach to the multi-faceted projects under the scope of The Musicant Group.
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Prior to joining The Musicant Group, Ben operated a for-profit business focusing on bringing accessible and affordable local arts to the masses through brick-and-mortar retail, wholesale operations, arts-related event planning, and artistic pop-up events. Ben cofounded multiple brands and events such as Minnehaha Falls Art Fair, Lucid Wood, Homespun Maker Markets, Homespun at the State Fair, and the Frightfully Early Holiday Market.

Ben holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse and has been a artist and entrepreneur for as long as he can remember.

Places/people/things that have influenced him include: The smell of wood shops, the energy at art fairs, classrooms (both learning and teaching), anywhere in nature (from paddling the lakes of the Boundary Waters to hiking the mountains of Indonesia and everything in between), and, most importantly, his wife, daughter, and son.
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Contact Ben at: ben.cooney@musicantgroup.com