Ballet West Artistic Director Adam Sklute to Retire After 20-Year Tenure

Ballet West Artistic Director Adam Sklute will retire at the conclusion of the 2026-27 season, his 20th year at the helm of the company. The announcement marks the end of the longest artistic directorship in Ballet West's history, surpassing even that of founder Willam F. Christensen.

Sklute joined Ballet West in 2007 and has since led the company through a period of sustained growth that has reshaped the company's national profile. During his leadership, the operating budget has nearly tripled, the subscription base has grown against national trends, and the company has expanded its touring presence to major venues across the country.

Sklute will remain in Salt Lake City following his retirement. Over his tenure, he has expanded the repertoire and introduced Ballet West audiences to some of the world's most significant and impactful choreographers and grown the dancer roster to reflect a broader range of backgrounds and experiences than at any point in the company's history.

An international search will be conducted by Michael M. Kaiser, Chairman of the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management and President Emeritus of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts, who will work with the Board of Directors in identifying an outstanding successor to Adam in the coming season. The 2026-27 season will serve as a celebration of Sklute's two decades with Ballet West.