Introducing Kent Denver’s First Director of Arts

A key goal of Kent Denver’s Strategic Vision is to “deeply integrate the arts into the life of the school and broader community.” In pursuit of that goal, Kent Denver will welcome Alex Ates as our first ever Director of Arts starting July 1, 2024. Mr. Ates will join the school’s senior administrative team and will play a crucial role in fostering creativity and artistic expression while overseeing all aspects of the arts at Kent Denver. 

Mr. Ates currently serves as the Director of PreK-12 Visual and Performing Arts at Westtown School in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where he manages the school’s multidisciplinary arts program and leads a team of over 20 full and part-time faculty members and guest artists. He previously taught theater in New Orleans at The Willow School and the NOLA Project, and has been a visiting artist/director at Emerson College, Agnes Scott College, Columbia University’s Teachers College, and Tulane University. Mr. Ates holds a BA in Theatre Studies: Acting and Directing, an MFA in Theatre: Directing, and an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies.

“Our arts programs are critically important to the educational experiences of Kent Denver students, and as they have grown, they have become increasingly complex in their scope and reach,” Head of School David Braemer explained. “I am confident that Alex will bring the leadership, experience and vision to leverage the strengths of our program and foster innovation to make the arts at Kent Denver even more extraordinary.”  

Mr. Ates is excited to help all Kent Denver students maximize their potential through the arts. “Creativity is a critical component of a rigorous and holistic education,” he explains. “The arts inspire extraordinary educational experiences that teach students to envision solutions, opportunities, and new ways of thinking. When students are creative, they are capable. I am honored to join and uplift Kent Denver’s vibrant creative community.”

Please join us in welcoming Alex Ates to Kent Denver next year!