Kwesi Johnson
Creative Director | Choreographer | Artrepreneur
Evolving the intersection of performance, place and technology
About Kwesi
Kwesi Johnson is the Co Founder and Creative Director of The Cultural Assembly. He designs immersive experiences at the intersection of live performance and creative technology.
He draws on over 25 years experience in the creative industries as a performer, Creative Director, Choreographer, Teacher and Mentor creating purpose driven art, cultural and performance events.
An acclaimed artist, Kwesi is an early progenitor of Hip hop Theatre and pioneer of experimental XR technologies and site specific performance art.
Kwesi’s current project is Future Creatives, a sustainable and equitable Web3 platform promoting alternative and decentralised solutions for creatives who do things differently.
Kwesi also has experience in commercial real estate where he turns empty commercial spaces into creative, innovation and performance hubs using the circular economy.
This unique set of skills enables him to facilitate and create in commercial and artistic worlds.
He is a self motivated creator, not waiting to be picked or given permission. This comes from his deep rooted belief that creativity is one of the highest forms of intelligence and informs the future and the pioneers of the originators of Hip Hop culture, who wanted to create something for the people.
He is the founder and former Artistic Director of NPO Kompany Malakhi, which he grew it to a six figure funded company. He is also a graduate of DENT’s Key Person of Influence program supported by The Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)
Kwesi says, ‘It’s an amazing time to be an artist. We have the tools to reach up to 5.3 billion people who have access to the internet, we can engage them to share our work in the same way you are reading this.
We have every opportunity to find our tribe, aligned audiences, funders, supporters and collaborators so that we can guide them to where we feel our work is best experienced.
The future is bright if we choose to focus on the light.
Clients & Partners
What Kwesi Can do For You
CREATE
Ideation | Development | Delivery
Kwesi has a vast skillset in live and digital performance and events
- Creative Direction
- Immersive Experience Design
- Choreography
- Direction
- Trade shows and product launches
- Reviving empty commercial space
SPEAK
Kwesi Speaks About
The decentralised creator economy
Sustainable and equitable funding and distribution for the arts, culture and entertainment
Reinvigorating the High Street with fractional ownership of innovation and creative spaces
How DeFi and Blockchain technology can save the subsidised creative industries
MENTOR
Mentoring & Consultancy
Helping artists, venues and arts organisations to thrive by:
Designing transformative income-generating plans
Using the new creator economy
Thinking outside the current system
Developing an online community
Current Project
Revolutionising culture, the arts and entertainment by connecting fans, artists and supporters to decentralise funding, distribution and validation decisions to foster equity, sustainability and diversity.
Working as a creative practitioner for over 25 years, Kwesi has witnessed the endless iterations, reports and failed promises from the centralised funding, distribution and validation systems for the arts, culture and entertainment. It has done it’s best but now it is in a state of crises, trying to fix old and new problems with dated solutions, giving the community false hope and in no shape to deal with the present innovation and demands in the arts. For most it is not fit for purpose or ready to take us into the future. So Kwesi decided to do something about this, by offering an alternative.
It is not until now that we are able as creatives, fans and impact supporters to create an alternative that serves the majority and unlocks the arrested potential in the arts and cultural industries. Kwesi believes if we act now there’s a bright future for the arts and culture.
At Future Creatives We aim To Use:
* Peer to Peer Support
* New Technology
* The Creator & Ownership Economy
*Impact Investment
* Fractional (Co) Ownership
* Quadratic Funding
* Decentralised Finance
Through:
* Incubators
* Mastermind Groups
* Co Creation and Curation
Join our community for free Here Listen to the Podcast Here See the landing page Here
Projects
Kwesi creates timeless projects that incorporate creative, community engagement and education frameworks.
This allows the projects to be tailored to incorporate ongoing themes with new clients.
One of the world’s first Mixed Reality (MR) art and performance trails. Using dance, spoken word, visual art and music to take users on an immersive and interactive journey of curated locations.
Using the theme of migration this is a brilliant placemaking and place activation project to bring life to an area and enable communities, businesses, creatives and schools to create something remarkable together.
Commissioned by Without Walls and the Brighton Festival to create one of
What you see on the video is what the user sees through their phone screen.
Click the link here to see the experience and here to see how it works as a place activation project
Decolonising Memory- Digital Bodies In Movement was commissioned by The UK Research Institute (UKRI) and a collaboration with Bristol University, FENYCE, and former Lord Mayor of Bristol, Cleo Lake, resulting in the creation of a mixed reality heritage app and a new memorial dance.
The app takes users on a city tour, unveiling its infamous and dark past, while the memorial dance has been performed live in several locations it can also and can be learnt from anywhere in the world via YouTube.
Additionally, the project included a citizen science research component, conducting creative and historical online/offline workshops within the community. These workshops explored the legacy of Bristol’s past residents involved in the transatlantic slave trade and how this legacy shapes the city today. The culmination of the project was the creation of both the memorial dance and The Decolonising Memory app.
See the trailer here
Website Link
An augmented reality placemaking and tourism app. in Fort Worth, Texas.
This project was developed with Amphibian Theatre and enabled local artists to digitize and include their work inside the app. The aim was to allow artists to collaborate with local businesses to increase footfall to the area post COVID.
Kwesi worked with them to understand the business and creative advantages of working with the digital technology should they wish to pursue them.
Here is a link explaining how we worked with them and the framework we work with other client who have no previous experience of Augmented Reality.
Click here to see the promo video courtesy of Amphibian Stage Theatre
Click here to learn about the process.
Delivering a series of workshops in Dar es Salaam, funded by The British Council.
We bought artists and creative technologist together to develop an Augmented Reality city tour.
Click Here to find out more.
Commissioned by DanceEast who wanted to keep their audience and residents of Ipswich engaged during COVID.
In collaboration with Creative Technologist FENYCE, and Graffiti Artist Mohammed Ali I developed an interactive window display where the movements of the observer controls the movements on screen.
The theme explored festivals such as Saturnalia, Yule and the Winter Solstice that have now become collectively known as Christmas.
Take a look here
Delivering a series of online/offline workshops for local residents exploring creative responses to heritage by teaching participants how to create their personal heritage trails using augmented reality filters, story telling and how to create merchandise to promote it.
Take a look here
Placemaking
Kwesi has extensive knowledge of placemaking, real estate and site activation, he solves the problem of empty commercial buildings by repurposing buildings, places and sites into creative and innovative experiences using extended reality, creativity and the circular economy to reinvigorate town centres and high streets.
Kwesi says ‘Successful high streets of the future will be those that focus on the quality time people spend, not solely on how much money they spend’
Folded Space was our first meanwhile project. We bought our trademark of performance, technology, entrepreneurialism and community, steeped in Hip Hop Culture.
The space hosted exhibitions, workshops, debates and fitness classes. A one of a kind community resource .
Take a look how we manifest these dynamic spaces by watching the video of 3rd Space. Video for Folded Space Coming soon.
This is how we save the community and landlords £1000’s in hire fees and business rates respectively when partnering with ReSpace Projects Click Here
3rd Space was The Cultural Assembly’s second meanwhile occupancy space offered by Saville’s Estate. we managed and curated this creative space. We used the circular economy to fit it out and offered the space to the creative community.
We invited Trouble Tongues Coffee Lounge to underpin the space. We also programmed and invited curators to develop a whole host of events, workshops and performances.
We also saved the landlord and artists 1000’s in business and hire rates respectively.
Take a look here
Kwesi Johnson
Creative Director | Choreographer | Artrepreneur
Evolving the intersection of performance, place and technology
About Kwesi
Kwesi Johnson is the Co Founder and Creative Director of The Cultural Assembly. He designs immersive experiences at the intersection of live performance and creative technology.
He draws on over 25 years experience in the creative industries as a performer, Creative Director, Choreographer, Teacher and Mentor creating purpose driven art, cultural and performance events.
An acclaimed artist, Kwesi is an early progenitor of Hip hop Theatre and pioneer of experimental XR technologies and site specific performance art.
Kwesi’s current project is Future Creatives, a sustainable and equitable Web3 platform promoting alternative and decentralised solutions for creatives who do things differently.
Kwesi also has experience in commercial real estate where he turns empty commercial spaces into creative, innovation and performance hubs using the circular economy.
This unique set of skills enables him to facilitate and create in commercial and artistic worlds.
He is a self motivated creator, not waiting to be picked or given permission. This comes from his deep rooted belief that creativity is one of the highest forms of intelligence and informs the future and the pioneers of the originators of Hip Hop culture, who wanted to create something for the people.
He is the founder and former Artistic Director of NPO Kompany Malakhi, which he grew it to a six figure funded company. He is also a graduate of DENT’s Key Person of Influence program supported by The Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)
Kwesi says, ‘It’s an amazing time to be an artist. We have the tools to reach up to 5.3 billion people who have access to the internet, we can engage them to share our work in the same way you are reading this.
We have every opportunity to find our tribe, aligned audiences, funders, supporters and collaborators so that we can guide them to where we feel our work is best experienced.
The future is bright if we choose to focus on the light.
What Kwesi Can do For You
CREATE
Ideation | Development | Delivery
Kwesi has a vast skillset in live and digital performance and events
- Creative Direction
- Immersive Experience Design
- Choreography
- Direction
- Trade shows and product launches
- Reviving empty commercial space
SPEAK
Kwesi Speaks About
The decentralised creator economy
Sustainable and equitable funding and distribution for the arts, culture and entertainment
Reinvigorating the High Street with fractional ownership of innovation and creative spaces
How DeFi and Blockchain technology can save the subsidised creative industries
MENTOR
Mentoring & Consultancy
Helping artists, venues and arts organisations to thrive by:
Designing transformative income-generating plans
Using the new creator economy
Thinking outside the current system
Developing an online community
Current Project
Revolutionising culture, the arts and entertainment by connecting fans, artists and supporters to decentralise funding, distribution and validation decisions to foster equity, sustainability and diversity.
Working as a creative practitioner for over 25 years, Kwesi has witnessed the endless iterations, reports and failed promises from the centralised funding, distribution and validation systems for the arts, culture and entertainment. It has done it’s best but now it is in a state of crises, trying to fix old and new problems with dated solutions, giving the community false hope and in no shape to deal with the present innovation and demands in the arts. For most it is not fit for purpose or ready to take us into the future. So Kwesi decided to do something about this, by offering an alternative.
It is not until now that we are able as creatives, fans and impact supporters to create an alternative that serves the majority and unlocks the arrested potential in the arts and cultural industries. Kwesi believes if we act now there’s a bright future for the arts and culture.
At Future Creatives We aim To Use:
* Peer to Peer Support
* New Technology
* The Creator & Ownership Economy
*Impact Investment
* Fractional (Co) Ownership
* Quadratic Funding
* Decentralised Finance
Through:
* Incubators
* Mastermind Groups
* Co Creation and Curation
Join our community for free Here Listen to the Podcast Here See the landing page Here
Projects
Kwesi creates timeless projects that incorporate creative, community engagement and education frameworks.
This allows the projects to be tailored to incorporate ongoing themes with new clients.
One of the world’s first Mixed Reality (MR) art and performance trails. Using dance, spoken word, visual art and music to take users on an immersive and interactive journey of curated locations.
Using the theme of migration this is a brilliant placemaking and place activation project to bring life to an area and enable communities, businesses, creatives and schools to create something remarkable together.
Commissioned by Without Walls and the Brighton Festival to create one of
What you see on the video is what the user sees through their phone screen.
Click the link here to see the experience and here to see how it works as a place activation project
Decolonising Memory- Digital Bodies In Movement was commissioned by The UK Research Institute (UKRI) and a collaboration with Bristol University, FENYCE, and former Lord Mayor of Bristol, Cleo Lake, resulting in the creation of a mixed reality heritage app and a new memorial dance.
The app takes users on a city tour, unveiling its infamous and dark past, while the memorial dance has been performed live in several locations it can also and can be learnt from anywhere in the world via YouTube.
Additionally, the project included a citizen science research component, conducting creative and historical online/offline workshops within the community. These workshops explored the legacy of Bristol’s past residents involved in the transatlantic slave trade and how this legacy shapes the city today. The culmination of the project was the creation of both the memorial dance and The Decolonising Memory app.
See the trailer here
Website Link
An augmented reality placemaking and tourism app. in Fort Worth, Texas.
This project was developed with Amphibian Theatre and enabled local artists to digitize and include their work inside the app. The aim was to allow artists to collaborate with local businesses to increase footfall to the area post COVID.
Kwesi worked with them to understand the business and creative advantages of working with the digital technology should they wish to pursue them.
Here is a link explaining how we worked with them and the framework we work with other client who have no previous experience of Augmented Reality.
Click here to see the promo video courtesy of Amphibian Stage Theatre
Click here to learn about the process.
Delivering a series of workshops in Dar es Salaam, funded by The British Council.
We bought artists and creative technologist together to develop an Augmented Reality city tour.
Click Here to find out more.
Commissioned by DanceEast who wanted to keep their audience and residents of Ipswich engaged during COVID.
In collaboration with Creative Technologist FENYCE, and Graffiti Artist Mohammed Ali I developed an interactive window display where the movements of the observer controls the movements on screen.
The theme explored festivals such as Saturnalia, Yule and the Winter Solstice that have now become collectively known as Christmas.
Take a look here
Delivering a series of online/offline workshops for local residents exploring creative responses to heritage by teaching participants how to create their personal heritage trails using augmented reality filters, story telling and how to create merchandise to promote it.
Take a look here
Placemaking
Kwesi has extensive knowledge of placemaking, real estate and site activation, he solves the problem of empty commercial buildings by repurposing buildings, places and sites into creative and innovative experiences using extended reality, creativity and the circular economy to reinvigorate town centres and high streets.
Kwesi says ‘Successful high streets of the future will be those that focus on the quality time people spend, not solely on how much money they spend’
Folded Space was our first meanwhile project. We bought our trademark of performance, technology, entrepreneurialism and community, steeped in Hip Hop Culture.
The space hosted exhibitions, workshops, debates and fitness classes. A one of a kind community resource .
Take a look how we manifest these dynamic spaces by watching the video of 3rd Space. Video for Folded Space Coming soon.
This is how we save the community and landlords £1000’s in hire fees and business rates respectively when partnering with ReSpace Projects Click Here
3rd Space was The Cultural Assembly’s second meanwhile occupancy space offered by Saville’s Estate. we managed and curated this creative space. We used the circular economy to fit it out and offered the space to the creative community.
We invited Trouble Tongues Coffee Lounge to underpin the space. We also programmed and invited curators to develop a whole host of events, workshops and performances.
We also saved the landlord and artists 1000’s in business and hire rates respectively.
Take a look here
Kwesi Johnson
Creative Director | Choreographer Artrepreneur
Evolving the intersection of performance,
place and technology
place and technology
About Kwesi
Kwesi Johnson is the Creative Director of The Cultural Assembly. He designs immersive experiences at the intersection of live performance and creative technology.
A progenitor of the international performance genre of Hip Hop Theatre and a pioneer of Augmented Reality art and performance trails.
He draws on over 25 years experience in the creative industries as a performer, Creative Director, Choreographer, Teacher and Mentor to create purpose driven art, cultural and performance events.
His current project and podcast, Future Creatives, explores a decentralised future of funding, distribution and validation of the arts, entertainment and culture to make it more sustainable and equitable .
Kwesi also has experience in commercial real estate where he turns empty commercial spaces into creative, innovation and performance hubs using the circular economy.
This unique set of skills enables him to facilitate and create in commercial and artistic worlds.
He is a self motivated creator, not waiting to be picked or given permission. This comes from his deep rooted belief that creativity is one of the highest forms of intelligence and informs the future and the pioneers of the originators of Hip Hop culture, who wanted to create something for the people.
He is the founder and former Artistic Director of NPO Kompany Malakhi, which he grew it to a six figure funded company. He is also a graduate of DENT’s Key Person of Influence program supported by The Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)
Kwesi says, ‘It’s an amazing time to be an artist. We have the tools to reach up to 5.3 billion people who have access to the internet, we can engage them to share our work in the same way you are reading this.
We have every opportunity to find our tribe, aligned audiences, funders, supporters and collaborators so that we can guide them to where we feel our work is best experienced.
The future is bright if we choose to focus on the light.
What Kwesi Can do For You
CREATE
Ideation | Development | Delivery
Kwesi has a vast skillset in live and digital performance and events
- Creative Direction
- Immersive Experience Design
- Choreography
- Direction
- Trade shows and product launches
- Reviving empty commercial space
SPEAK
Kwesi Speaks About
The decentralised creator economy
Sustainable and equitable funding and distribution for the arts, culture and entertainment
Reinvigorating the High Street with fractional ownership of innovation and creative spaces
How DeFi and Blockchain technology can save the subsidised creative industries
MENTOR
Mentoring & Consultancy
Helping artists, venues and arts organisations to thrive by:
Designing transformative income-generating plans
Using the new creator economy
Thinking outside the current system
Developing an online community
Current Project
Revolutionising culture, the arts and entertainment by connecting fans, artists and supporters to decentralise funding, distribution and validation decisions to foster equity, sustainability and diversity.
Working as a creative practitioner for over 25 years, Kwesi has witnessed the endless iterations, reports and failed promises from the centralised funding, distribution and validation systems for the arts, culture and entertainment. It has done it’s best but now it is in a state of crises, trying to fix old and new problems with dated solutions, giving the community false hope and in no shape to deal with the present innovation and demands in the arts. For most it is not fit for purpose or ready to take us into the future. So Kwesi decided to do something about this, by offering an alternative.
It is not until now that we are able as creatives, fans and impact supporters to create an alternative that serves the majority and unlocks the arrested potential in the arts and cultural industries. Kwesi believes if we act now there’s a bright future for the arts and culture.
At Future Creatives We aim To Use:
* Peer to Peer Support
* New Technology
* The Creator & Ownership Economy
*Impact Investment
* Fractional (Co) Ownership
* Quadratic Funding
* Decentralised Finance
Through:
* Incubators
* Mastermind Groups
* Co Creation and Curation
Join our community for free Here
Listen to the Podcast Here
See the landing page Here
Projects
Kwesi creates timeless projects that incorporate creative, community engagement and education frameworks.
This allows the projects to be tailored to incorporate ongoing themes with new clients.
One of the world’s first Mixed Reality (MR) art and performance trails. Using dance, spoken word, visual art and music to take users on an immersive and interactive journey of curated locations.
Using the theme of migration this is a brilliant placemaking and place activation project to bring life to an area and enable communities, businesses, creatives and schools to create something remarkable together.
Commissioned by Without Walls and the Brighton Festival to create one of
What you see on the video is what the user sees through their phone screen.
Click the link here to see the experience and here to see how it works as a place activation project
Decolonising Memory – Digital Bodies In Movement was commissioned by The UK Research Institute (UKRI) and a collaboration with Bristol University, FENYCE, and former Lord Mayor of Bristol, Cleo Lake, resulting in the creation of a mixed reality heritage app and a new memorial dance.
The geo located and site responsive app takes users on a city tour, unveiling its infamous and dark past, while the memorial dance has been performed live in several locations it can also and can be learnt from anywhere in the world via YouTube.
Additionally, the project included a citizen science research component, conducting creative and historical online/offline workshops within the community. These workshops explored the legacy of Bristol’s past residents involved in the transatlantic slave trade and how this legacy shapes the city today. The culmination of the project was the creation of both the memorial dance and The Decolonising Memory app.
See the trailer here
Website Link
An augmented reality placemaking and tourism app. in Fort Worth, Texas.
This project was developed with Amphibian Theatre and enabled local artists to digitize and include their work inside the app. The aim was to allow artists to collaborate with local businesses to increase footfall to the area post COVID.
Kwesi worked with them to understand the business and creative advantages of working with the digital technology should they wish to pursue them.
Here is a link explaining how we worked with them and the framework we work with other client who have no previous experience of Augmented Reality.
Click here to see the promo video courtesy of Amphibian Stage Theatre
Click here to learn about the process.
Delivering a series of workshops in Dar es Salaam, funded by The British Council.
We bought artists and creative technologist together to develop an Augmented Reality city tour.
Click Here to find out more.
Commissioned by DanceEast who wanted to keep their audience and residents of Ipswich engaged during COVID.
In collaboration with Creative Technologist FENYCE, and Graffiti Artist Mohammed Ali I developed an interactive window display where the movements of the observer controls the movements on screen.
The theme explored festivals such as Saturnalia, Yule and the Winter Solstice that have now become collectively known as Christmas.
Take a look here
Delivering a series of online/offline workshops for local residents exploring creative responses to heritage by teaching participants how to create their personal heritage trails using augmented reality filters, story telling and how to create merchandise to promote it.
Take a look here
Placemaking
Kwesi has extensive knowledge of placemaking, real estate and site activation.
He solves the problem of empty commercial buildings by repurposing buildings, places and sites into creative and innovative experiences using extended reality, creativity and the circular economy to reinvigorate town centres and high streets.
Kwesi says ‘Successful high streets of the future will be those that focus on the quality time people spend, not solely on how much money they spend’
Folded Space was our first meanwhile project. We bought our trademark of performance, technology, entrepreneurialism and community, steeped in Hip Hop Culture.
The space hosted exhibitions, workshops, debates and fitness classes. A one of a kind community resource .
Take a look how we manifest these dynamic spaces by watching the video of 3rd Space. Video for Folded Space Coming soon.
This is how we save the community and landlords £1000’s in hire fees and business rates respectively when partnering with ReSpace Projects Click Here
3rd Space was The Cultural Assembly’s second meanwhile occupancy space offered by Saville’s Estate. we managed and curated this creative space. We used the circular economy to fit it out and offered the space to the creative community.
We invited Trouble Tongues Coffee Lounge to underpin the space. We also programmed and invited curators to develop a whole host of events, workshops and performances.
We also saved the landlord and artists 1000’s in business and hire rates respectively.
Take a look here