James Miles

James Miles is the executive director of Seattle-based Arts Corps. He works to revolutionize arts education by igniting the creative power of young people through culturally engaging learning experiences. Each year, more than 2,500 K-12 students in South Seattle and South King County experience the transformative power of creativity and gain a deepened belief in their own capacity to learn, take risks, persist and achieve.

Miles started his career in the arts as a TV and Theater actor, but soon found himself turning down acting roles to take on teaching opportunities with young people. He has become passionate about portraying culture through art and education. “Using art to teach and then teaching art are two things I love to do. Art is a way to use culture to open up conversations and education systems and is a model for how we need to interact with each other.” He feels that it’s only through challenging students to be the best they can be that one can truly ignite the creative power of young people.

Miles is the former Director of Education at Urban Arts Partnership in New York City. He’s led workshops for multiple celebrated theater programs and taught theater and education as an adjunct professor at NYU. He serves on the board of directors for the Association of Teaching Artists and the Teaching Artist Journal. A graduate of Morehouse College with an MFA from Brandeis University, Miles has spoken on arts, technology and education and provided professional educational development around the world. He lives with his wife and children in Seattle.