Professional Summary
Overall, my background combines 10+ years of immersive design, nonprofit consulting, music touring, radio, film, studio, theater, zines, construction and installation, festivals, live music, artist relations, international productions, sponsorship development, venue coordination, hospitality, arts education, compliance, administration, accounting, marketing, inventory, boring paperwork…. and all the other hats you could think of.
I am a Creative Producer and Cultural Developer with a multidisciplinary background spanning large-scale event production, immersive design, brand strategy, and operational leadership. I co-founded The Nines Collective, an agency specializing in experiential events, multimedia collaborations, talent development, and creative management. The Nines is known for producing immersive experiences, including The Forbidden Garden Experience.
My personal work in activations and installations has received international recognition from Amaro Montenegro, stage design and execution in Ireland, field layouts for large-scale festivals, city-wide holiday projects, and set design for various performances. I come from an extensive background in construction; functionality is the backbone of my creative concepts.
My production leadership experience spans festivals and live events, such as the Pure Imagination Festival (6,000+ attendees), where responsibilities included directing technical teams, volunteers, and performers, coordinating event logistics, transportation, entry and security operations, and working directly with city officials. Headliners included Flaming Lips, Ziggy Marley, Sylvan Esso, Lucinda Williams, Dawes, Talib Kweli, and Michael Franti. Previously, I served as Production Manager at the female-owned and operated Further West Productions, managing logistics, transportation systems, event infrastructure, and operational assets for recurring event series such as Harvest Fest, Prescott’s Night Market, and several digital series.
My work extends into feature film through The Frontier Crucible, an Arizona-set film featuring Myles Clohessy, Eddie Spears, Thomas Jane, and William H. Macy. I have also participated in music video production and on-camera work, such as Ponderosa Grove’s “Don’t Worry Child”. I was the tour assistant for their Debut Album, from New York City down the East Coast.
I have produced and co-directed high-end creative projects with various media artists for marketing and fine arts, including a personal concept with world-class photographer David Morring.
With great pride, I played a central role in the revitalization of Prescott, Arizona’s NoCo District, helping transform an abandoned downtown area into a thriving arts and culture hub now home to 16+ small businesses and recurring events. The initiative was recognized by the City of Prescott as transformative cultural development and acknowledged by the Governor of Arizona for strengthening the regional arts community.
Internationally, my work experience includes serving as Creative Director and Stage Designer for RiverFest in Ireland (4,000+ attendees), designing immersive activations and marketing initiatives, while collaborating with global artists and production teams.
My creative practice also extends into digital media and brand strategy. I have provided visual identity and promotional work for businesses and artists, including Grammy-nominated songwriter Candace Devine and multiple Grammy Award-nominated pianist and composer Liz Story.
My career began on stage, with 12 years in Ballet and Pointe. The bureaucratic side of my career has been nurtured by positions in Corporate Management for companies like Albertsons and Coldwell Banker. The combination of these roles has given me an in-depth understanding of the conception-to-performance lifecycle of creative projects. My comfort with the arts and business acumen give me the unique skill set to take on any role a project requires and delegate systems at all levels.
I am dedicated to learning how creative ecosystems function, from vision to problem-solving to execution. My highest self contributes to environments that foster human connection, curiosity, and a sense of wonder. The human experience is meant for magic.
Digital Collage - Circus Collection - Mackenzie Jones - 2024