Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristopher W. McDowell.
Hi Kristopher W., so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My career began as a performing artist, which gave me a firsthand understanding of the creative process and the realities artists face on and off stage. Early on, I performed internationally, appeared in Off-Broadway productions, recorded a solo album, and toured nationally, while also working behind the scenes as a director and producer. That dual perspective—artist and administrator—shaped my long-term commitment to building sustainable systems that allow artists and institutions to thrive.
In the early 2000s, I transitioned into producing and arts leadership, founding organizations and projects that connected high-quality performing arts with diverse audiences. I established KMP Artists in 2004, growing it from a small operation into an international touring and production company that presented over 1,200 performances and worked across 17 countries. During this period, I led national and international tours, produced large-scale events, and collaborated with artists, cultural institutions, festivals, cruise lines, theme parks, and global brands, while also overseeing staff growth, venue operations, fundraising, and complex international logistics.
My work increasingly focused on strategy, audience development, and revenue diversification for arts organizations. This led to senior leadership roles, including serving as Director of Programming (Strategic & Commercial) at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre in Australia, where I successfully launched new commercial programming and grew revenue from zero to nearly AU$180,000 in one year while expanding audience engagement.
In 2019, I co-founded Rhizome Consulting to advise arts and entertainment organizations on fundraising, touring strategy, venue management, marketing, and cross-industry innovation. Through this work, I have supported capital campaigns, managed international tours for major ballet companies, produced multi-city U.S. tours, and collaborated with government agencies, philanthropic partners, and global institutions across the Americas, Asia, and Australia. I have also contributed to national conversations on ethical contracting, equitable touring practices, and sustainability in the performing arts.
Today, my work sits at the intersection of creative vision and practical execution. I continue to produce, advise, and advocate for artists and organizations worldwide, drawing on decades of experience as a performer, producer, educator, and strategist. At every stage of my career, my focus has remained the same: strengthening the performing arts ecosystem by aligning artistic excellence with financial resilience, ethical leadership, and meaningful global exchange.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like much of the performing arts field, my work was profoundly tested during the pandemic as venues closed, tours were canceled, and long-standing business models were disrupted almost overnight. Navigating this period required rapid adaptation, careful stewardship of relationships, and a renewed focus on ethical decision-making. Processes around equitable and ethical contracting—once difficult to advance—became more achievable through the leadership and guidance of national service organizations such as the Association of Performing Arts Professionals and Dance/USA, both of which were immensely supportive and served as critical resources during this time.
The broader volatility of the field, shaped by economic and political shifts, has reinforced the importance of diversification across revenue streams and geographies. In response, I have developed strategies that balance earned income, philanthropy, partnerships, and advisory work to sustain projects through uncertainty. Working across 16 countries in addition to the United States has also presented steep learning curves, particularly in visa processing and cross-border compliance, but these challenges have strengthened my ability to manage risk, build resilient systems, and guide artists and institutions through increasingly complex global landscapes.
We’ve been impressed with KMP Artists, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Premiere Entertainment & Special Events
KMP is an international firm, founded in 2004. KMP is the promoter of some of the World’s top artists and companies featuring dance, music and family programs.
KMP is committed to international exchange touring exceptional projects from around the globe that stimulate conversation and encourage mutual understanding.
KMP gets the job done whether as contractor, producer, consultant, tour manager, company manager or logistics expert.
Entertainment Provider; Talent Buyer; Event Logistics; International Touring; Executive Producer of Live Entertainment and Special Events since 2004.
KMP Artists sources access to the finest celebrities and entertainment in the world. We specialize in performing arts and immersive experiences to elevate and deepen the impact of your event. We have produced and created events of all scale in 17 counties and growing.
kmpartists.com
Corporate & Festival Event Entertainment
Creating corporate and special events based on client objectives as we work with professional artists, celebrities, full-scale productions, and build immersive experiences for both the private and public sectors specializing in live entertainment, including theatrical productions, music, dance, comedy, circus, commercial, and traditional performances.
KMP has provided over 1,700 events and works closely with corporate event executives, private and public performance venues including arenas, performing arts centers, theaters, outdoor venues, civic and educational institutions.
KMP Artists brings the magic of live entertainment to people of all ages and backgrounds, fostering connectivity, cross industry innovation and inspiring imagination. Creating events that deliver maximum impact for municipalities, CBD’s and governmental institutions as well as private and public corporations. Providing artistic integration designed to deepen the impact of the objectives and themes for events.
Designing Hybrid Conferences, Corporate Retreats and Summits for Maximum Impact
For convenings KMP offers exquisitely customized artistic influenced services to provide exciting access points and experiences to attendees both online and in person for industry convenings and corporate summits. KMP also has platforms and technology to streamline the event planning process, maximize attendee experience and participation, and ultimately achieve goals and objectives effectively and efficiently.
Cultural Tourism: International Excursions
KMP is host to various cultural excursions, curated specifically for performing and visual arts professionals to encourage collaboration, open dialogue for co-commissions across borders, and to stimulate opportunities for professional artists and artistic companies. KMP has been hosting international delegations since 2015 to Shanghai; Seoul; Cairo; New York City, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai and more.
KMP has also invested as a Producer for Broadway productions of GOODNIGHT OSCAR with Sean Hayes; and MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG with Daniel Radcliffe.
Clients include:
Disney’s California Adventure
American Express
Art Basel Miami
Fontainebleau Miami Beach
Princess Cruises
Cunard Cruise Lines
Private Label Manufacturing Corporation
Mall of Asia Arena
Australia Recordings Music Industry Awards
SLS Las Vegas
Partial List of Performing Arts, Aphitherers and Festivals with whom we have worked.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People work with me in a variety of ways, depending on their goals, capacity, and place within the performing arts ecosystem. I collaborate closely with artists, companies, presenters, festivals, and cultural institutions as a strategic partner—helping shape projects from early concept through execution, touring, and long-term sustainability. This includes producing and presenting partnerships, international touring strategy, fundraising and revenue diversification, audience development, ethical contracting, risk mitigation, and the planning and delivery of impactful live events.
Collaboration often takes the form of co-producing projects, curating programming and series, and designing high-impact events such as festivals, galas, convenings, showcases, and site-specific experiences that align artistic vision with audience engagement and financial goals. I work with organizations to plan events that are not only creatively compelling, but operationally sound—balancing production logistics, staffing, budgeting, sponsorships, and guest experience to ensure measurable outcomes.
I also serve as an advisor to leadership teams and boards, and partner with government agencies, philanthropic organizations, and private-sector stakeholders to advance cultural exchange and civic objectives. Support for the work comes in many forms: presenters and institutions engage through commissions, residencies, bookings, and event partnerships; funders and donors invest in touring, capacity-building, and access initiatives; and partners across industries—such as hospitality, tourism, technology, and wellness—collaborate on innovative event-driven models that expand the reach and impact of the performing arts. At the core of every engagement is a shared commitment to artistic excellence, ethical practice, and building resilient systems that allow creative work—and the events that bring it to life—to thrive in a changing global environment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kmpartists.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/kmparists
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristopher415
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kmpartists
- Other: https://www.RhizomeArts.com
Image Credits
All photos copyright KMP Artists
