New York based Arts Consultant Peter McDowell has built a solid career on high-level, strategic, creative, efficient and effective service to performing arts organizations and performing artists.

From 1997-2006, Peter was a Program Director for the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs where he presented and produced over 1000 music, dance, film/video and theater programs. Highlights of his tenure include a free summer opera program involving eight annual professional opera productions, which featured a chorus of 14-21 year old at-risk youth alongside professional young soloists. Also of note was his “Vocal Journeys” series featuring operatic vocalists in intimate free concerts. He was a co-curator of the opening weekend at Chicago’s prestigious new Millennium Park and produced a park-wide tribute to Stephen Sondheim.

He is the recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and the International Society for the Performing Arts. Peter was selected as the only American of 34 participants to take part in the first European Festival Association Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Goerlitz, Germany in 2006. He has served as a panelist for the NEA’s Access to Artistic Excellence in Presenting grants and has served as an evaluator for the Multi Arts Production (MAP) Fund in New York.

Peter is very comfortable working with emerging as well as seasoned artists. In the past 15 years he has produced and presented events in association with artists such as Andrew Bird, Craig Carnelia, Hudson Shad, Nathan Gunn, Garrison Keillor, Susanne Mentzer, Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Sondheim, and Studs Terkel and with companies/ensembles such as Alloy Orchestra, eighth blackbird, Goat Island, Mucca Pazza, Chicago’s Neo-Futurists, and Chicago Opera Theater.

Peter recently served for over two years as Director of Programs at OPERA America in New York City where he led the Artistic Services and Education departments. During his time there, Peter oversaw many programs including workshops, seminars, and OPERA America’s educational curriculum and granting program. He led the Individual Artist programming committee for the National Performing Arts Convention in Denver, co-produced the first ever NEA Opera Honors Program and pioneered the first Director-Designer Showcase.

Peter is fluent in French and German and serves as Vice President of the Board of Trustees of the DAAD US Alumni Association in New York.