Finally! New Aurora Fox leader Rich Cowden promises stability, high energy

by John Moore
Updated on December 18, 2023
The Denver Gazette

Rich Cowden is jumping on a glacier wearing track shoes.

The lifelong administrator, educator and theater director is the new executive producer of the city-owned Aurora Fox Arts Center, ending a hiring saga that had stretched to 14 months. After an extended period of creative dormancy at the 39-year-old Fox, Cowden hit the ground running on Tuesday.  

“In terms of moving forward, I just want to stand on top of that big Fox marquee on East Colfax and shout to the world that we are going to stabilize,” said Cowden, who has spent the past two years as general manager and executive director of the JCC Mizel Arts and Culture Center.

Cowden will now serve as both the lead financial administrator and artistic gatekeeper of a major arts facility with deep bureaucratic arteries that run directly to the city of Aurora.