KEMI BENNINGS
Producer • Curator • Artistic Director
Who I am:
I am passionate advocate of art, music, culture and community with a focus on curating visual and performance art exhibitions and cultural programming.
Founder/Artistic Director/Curator
· Since 2002, served as producer/artistic director/curator for Evolve! Artists Live, founded out of the desire to produce multidisciplinary arts and cultural events that showcased independent artists.
· Fosters intercultural/intergenerational dialogue and builds community with a high level of artistic integrity and excellence.
· Mission is to produce thought-provoking and entertaining event programming that empowers art as social change.
· Productions include live music, theatricals, art exhibitions and cultural events.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
· Groundbreaking conceptualization, creativity and visualization.
· Conceived, developed, and implemented crossover ideas to produce artist collaborations, plays and cultural experiences.
· Stimulate creative ideas and direction.
· Initiates scripting and directing for multimedia.
· Generates budgets, press releases, marketing plans.
· Developed and managed teams of artistic and creative professionals.
· Collaborated with established artists and organizations offering cultural experiences in public spaces, including Wonderroot, Project, 404Day, National Black Art Festival, Idea Capital and Creative Currents.
· Manage design process and develop plans to execute said projects.
· Set programmatic goals and timelines according to schedules, deadlines and budget.
· Worked with legal counsel to develop and execute artist contracts.
· Recruited and managed creative team to achieve programmatic goals (request for proposals).
· Develop and execute entire RFP process and monitor pre and post compliance.
· Develop budget and monitor according to program guidelines.
· Developed great relationships with diverse art communities and cultural organizations.
· Directed and curated installations aimed at inspiring, educating and entertaining audiences.
· Oversaw and coordinated with graphic design, multimedia and social media teams to create printed and digital support materials.
· Facilitate production team building thru script discussions with musicians and artists, exploring creative design concepts and establishing rehearsal schedules.
· Brainstorm new ideas and stories to excite audiences.
EXPERIENCE
Curated Experiences
Electric Jazz Music & Special Words feat. Tiphenn Fauchois & Tom McKenzie, Paris, France, 2016
GA WAND (Women’s Action for New Directions), Mother’s Day for Peace, Spelman College, 2014
Ministers Of Sound Photographic Art Installation, Space 2, Atlanta, GA, 2013
A Great Day In Atlanta: 2003 – 2013 Before and Beyond, AOG Gallery, Atlanta, GA 2013
A Great Day In Atlanta Interactive Panel Discussion, AOG Gallery, Atlanta, GA 2013
A Dream Supreme – Ministers of Sound Curated Experience, 595 North, Atlanta, GA, 2010
Ministers of Sound DJ Sessions, Wonderroot, Atlanta, GA, 2009
A Tribute to Women’s History, Jimi King Gallery, Atlanta, GA, 2007
A Poet, 2 Singers, A Rapper & A DJ, National Black Arts Festival, Atlanta, GA, 2004
Black Girl In China Art Installation, Jiaxing College, China, PRC, 2004
Photo Slam, Born Digital Edition, National Civil War Naval Museum, Columbus, GA, 2017
Photo Slam, Born Digital Edition, Atlanta Photography Group, Atlanta, GA, 2015
Photo Slam, Travel Edition, Nashville Arts, Nashville, TN, 2015
A Great Day In Atlanta Inaugural Photograph, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, 2003
Smoke Voices: Arturo Lindsay Video Installation, Atlanta, GA, 2017
Memoirs of a Hip Ol’ Black Man feat. Vinx, Atlanta, GA, 2015
404-Day Short Film Festival, The Music Room, Atlanta, GA, 2014
Renaissance: The A Great Day In Atlanta Story, Art of Giving Gallery, Atlanta, GA, 2013
Ministers of Sound Art Exhibit & Installation The Sound Table, Atlanta, GA, 2013
Wellness
Wellness Day, C4 Atlanta, Little Five Points Atlanta, GA, 2013
HEART! Artistic Wellness Day (multi-disciplined curated experience), 595 North, Atlanta, GA, 2012
Theater
Vinyl Daze: Rhonda Thomas Musical Theatrical Album Release, Southwest Performance Arts Theater, Atlanta, GA, 2015
Soul Sista’s Juke Joint, Atlanta Jazz Festival Special Edition: Take Me Higher, Atlanta, GA 2014
3Women Voices Of Power, Southwest Performance Arts Theater, Atlanta, GA 2012
Mercury: Darryl Reeves Musical Theatrical Album Release, Southwest Arts Theater, Atlanta, GA, 2012
Soul Poetic, Southwest Performance Arts Theater, Atlanta, GA, 2012
Soul Sista’s Juke Joint, Food For The Soul, Southwest Performance Arts Theater, Atlanta, GA, 2010
Soul Sista’s Juke Joint, Ain’t I A Woman, Tiempo Privado, Atlanta, GA, 2009
Soul Sista’s Juke Joint, The Return, The Five Spot, Atlanta, GA, 2007
Soul Sista’s Juke Joint, Art is Activism Special Edition, Georgia State Capital Theatre, Atlanta, GA, 2004
Soul Sista’s Juke Joint, National Black Arts Festival Special Edition, Endenu, Atlanta, GA, 2004
Soul Sista’s Juke Joint, Men Of Soul Edition, Endenu, Atlanta, GA, 2004
Soul Sista’s Juke Joint, The Late Nite Sweet Honey Edition, Endenu, Atlanta, GA, 2003
Soul Sista’s Juke Joint, The Spirit Of Gospel Edition, Endenu, Atlanta, GA, 2003
Soul Sista’s Juke Joint, Men Of Soul Edition, Endenu, Atlanta, GA, 2003
Soul Sista’s Juke Joint, National Black Arts Festival Special Edition, Endenu, Atlanta, GA, 2003
Soul Sista’s Juke Joint, An Ode To Hip Hop, Apache Café, Atlanta, GA, 2003
Soul Sista’s Juke Joint, The DC Experience, Apache Café, Atlanta, GA, 2002
Soul Sista’s Juke Joint Premiere, Apache Café, Atlanta, GA, 2002
RESIDENT ARTIST COLLABORATIONS
El Manifesto de Panama Installation w. Rachel Schmidt (sculptor), Portobelo, Panama, 2009
Where Poetry Meets Dance Music w. DJ Kai Alce, Atlanta, GA, 2007
Songwriter’s Soul Kitchen w. Virgil Hodges & DJ Vando, Atlanta, 2006
RESIDENCIES
Re:Imagine Atlanta Multidiciplinary Youth Art Programming, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 2015
Latin American Youth Center, Washington, DC, 2010
Taller Portobelo, Portobelo, Panama, 2009
PERFORMANCES AND LECTURES
Performances
Jazz + Soul + Words, Le Basier Sale feat. Julia Mathilde & various artists, Paris, France 2016
Flux Projects: Dream, Statements, Atlanta, GA, 2015
Sonic Visuals, Spelman College, Spelman Museum of Fine Art, Atlanta, GA, 2013
Southern Travel Curated Experience Artmore Hotel, Atlanta, GA, 2012
Breaking The Silence, Hoff Theatre, College Park, MD, 2012
ALNP Haiti Benefit Concert, Apache Café, Atlanta, GA, 2012
3Women Voices of Power, Tassili’s, Atlanta, GA, 2011
UNIFEM: Women United, Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA, 2009
The Next Day In America Unplugged, Southwest Performance Art Theater, Atlanta, GA, 2009
El Manifesto de Panama w. Rachel Schmidt Sculpture, Portobelo, Panama, 2009
An Evening w. Julie Dexter, Atlanta, GA, 2008
The Vagina Monologues, Georgia State University Theatre, Atlanta, GA, 2007
Lola’s, Jam Session, Riverdale, GA, 2007
Ken Batie Tribute, Sugar Hill, Atlanta, GA, 2007
Reparations, Javaology, Atlanta, GA, 2006
Free Forum Exchange, Apache Café, Atlanta, GA, 2006
The Vagina Monologues, 14th Street Playhouse, Atlanta, GA 2006
Black Butterfly, The Five Spot, Atlanta, GA, 2006
An Evening w. The Lilli Lewis Band, Atlanta, GA, 2006
Java Monkey, Atlanta, GA, 2005 Vantage Pointe Studios, Atlanta, GA, 2005
Divas for Katrina: Benefit for New Orleans, El Ray Theater, Los Angeles, CA, 2005
Café Medusa, 7 Stages Theatre, Atlanta, GA, 2005
Blowin’ Up A Spot Film Festival, Austin, TX, 2005
Rage Fashion Show, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, 2004
Azul, Decatur, GA, 2002
Bar Nun Café, Washington, DC, 2002
Java Head Café, Washington, DC, 2002
Black Lily, The 5 Spot, Philadelphia, PA, 2002
Sister Speak, Penrose Theatre, Atlanta, GA, 2001
Sweet Auburn Festival, Atlanta, GA, 2001
Wheelbarrow at Reynoldstown, Atlanta, GA, 2000
April In Paris, Fine Arts By Todd, Atlanta, GA, 2000
Journey of My Mind, Guilford Forest Gallery, Atlanta, GA, 2000
Word From The Basement, Art Village Gallery, Memphis, TN, 2000
Morris Brown College, Atlanta, GA, 1999
Sweet Auburn Festival, Atlanta, GA, 1999
Identity Check, Youth Art Connection, Atlanta, GA, 1999
Heritage Arts Festival, Atlanta, GA, 1998
Lectures & Artist Talks
It Works Both Ways, Centers for Spiritual Living, Atlanta, GA, 2017
God & Art Poetry Lecture, All Saints Episcopal Church, Atlanta, GA, 2017
Activate.Inspire.Elevate, Healing Encounters Health & Wellness Expo, Atlanta, GA, 2017
Paris Alive, Charly Palmer Gallery, Atlanta, GA, 2016
Having It All, Artist Talk + Poetry Reading, Atlanta, GA, 2016
Creating An Artistic Impact, Artist Talk + Poetry Reading, Impact Loft, Atlanta, GA, 2016
A Summer of Poetry, The Paideia Schools, Atlanta, GA, 2014
Big Words Premiere, Panelist, Bronze Lens Film Festival, Atlanta, GA, 2013
Experimental Poetry For the Now, U*Space Gallery, Atlanta, GA, 2011
The Beautiful Life, Atlanta, GA, 2008
Paine College, Augusta, GA, 2007
Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA, 2005
Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 2005
Georgia Perimeter College, Decatur, GA, 2005
Morris Brown College, Atlanta, GA, 2003
Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, 2003
Women Working For Excellence, Atlanta, GA, 2003
Morris Brown College, Atlanta, GA, 1999
GRANTS & AWARDS
C4 Atlanta Leading Lady, Atlanta, GA, 2017
40 Elite Community Leaders, Atlanta, GA, 2013
Proclamation, A Great Day In Atlanta, City of Atlanta, 2013
Proclamation, HEART! Health & Wellness Day, Board of Commissioners, City of Atlanta, 2012
Fulton County Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Ministers Of Sound Exhibition, 2012
Fulton County Arts & Culture, 2012 Theatre Productions, 2012
OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Poet/creative Writer
· Inspiring multi-dimensional artist, poet and soul singer.
· Integrating new-age conscious spoken word poetry and music to inspire a generation of artistic change.
· Performing before and inspiring large audiences since 1995.
Studied With
· Southwest Performance Arts Theater, Atlanta, GA, 2008
· Lisa Watson, True Colors Theatre, Atlanta, GA, 2013
· Hilda Willis, Living Your Art, Atlanta, GA, 2014
Selected Publications
Michael Simanga, “The Next Day In America: Writings on the Election of Barack Obama”, Fulton County, Atlanta, GA, 2008
Alice Lovelace, Felton Eaddy, Malkia M’Buzi, Michael Simanga, “Crux: Anthology – South Africa to South USA”, Fulton County, Atlanta, GA, 2007
Kodac Harrison, Colin Kelley, “Java Monkey Speaks Volume II”, Atlanta, GA, 2006
“Transformation: a journey of poetic revelations”, Self published collection of poems, 2004
“Evolution: a collection of thoughts, poems, inspirations and musings”, Self published collection of poems, 2002
Selected Press
Patricia Laplante-Collins, “Electric! Jazz, Music & Special Words”, Paris Soirees, 2016
Okeeba Jubalo, "Artists We Love", YBE Magazine, 2016
Carlton Hargro, “Back On The Block: Kemi Bennings Reignites Soul Sista’s Juke Joint”,Slo*Mo Magazine, 2014
Kunbi Tinuoye, “Photo exhibition celebrates link between preachers & DJ’s”, NBC News-TheGrio, 2013
Carlton Hargro, “Ministers of Sound exploring spirituality through beats”, Creative Loafing, 2013
Terry Shropshire, “Ministers of Sound salutes ministers and DJ’s”, Rolling Out Magazine, 2013
Carlton Hargro, “3Women make a joyful noise”, Creative Loafing, 2012
Carlton Hargro, “Saxophonist Darryl Reeves celebrates the release of Mercury”, Creative Loafing, 2012
CD Recordings
DJ Kai Alce, “Feeding feat. Kemi”, NDATL Recordings, 2008
DJ Andres, “Feeding Remix”, Slum Village Recordings, 2011
Rus, “The Call feat. Kemi”, Lima Bean Recordings, 2006
Kemi Bennings, Prevelations 12:18 – Spirit On My Back, 2005
Radio & Television
Documentary – Undeniable: The Story of the Soul Movement (summer 2017), Chicago, IL, 2016
Documentary – Urban Spirit Dancers: Soul of House Music (summer 2017), Atlanta, GA, 2016
Porch On Peachtree, Radio Host, Atlanta, GA, 2014-2015
CBS 46 Interview, Soul Sista's Juke Joint, Atlanta, GA, 2014
Urban Mediamakers, Festival Commercial, Atlanta, GA, 2009
