Michael M. Kaiser

Michael M. Kaiser
Name	Michael M. Kaiser
Birth date	15 March 1955
Birth place	New York City, New York, U.S.
Education	Massachusetts Institute of Technology (BS), Brandeis University (MA)
Occupation	Arts administrator, author, consultant
Known for	President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2001–2014), Founder of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management
Spouse	Robert M. Gans, 2013

Michael M. Kaiser is an American arts administrator, author, and consultant renowned for his transformative leadership in nonprofit arts management. He served as the president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts from 2001 to 2014, where he was credited with revitalizing its financial health and artistic programming. Kaiser is the founder of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland and has authored several influential books on arts management, establishing himself as a leading international voice in the field.

Early life and education

Born in New York City, Kaiser developed an early interest in the arts. He pursued his undergraduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. He later attended Brandeis University, where he received a Master of Arts degree. His academic foundation in quantitative analysis and liberal arts would later inform his data-driven yet mission-centric approach to managing cultural institutions.

Career

Kaiser's professional career began in management consulting at the firm McKinsey & Company. He transitioned into arts administration, holding significant leadership positions including executive director of the Kansas City Ballet and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. His reputation as a turnaround specialist was solidified during his tenure as executive director of the American Ballet Theatre in New York City, where he successfully stabilized the company's finances. Prior to his appointment at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, he served as the general manager of the Royal Opera House in London.

Leadership at the Kennedy Center

Appointed in 2001, Kaiser's presidency of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts marked a period of profound institutional growth. He eliminated the organization's accumulated deficit and significantly expanded its endowment through major fundraising campaigns. Artistically, he launched initiatives like the Kennedy Center Honors, expanded the National Symphony Orchestra's season, and created the Performing Arts for Everyone program to increase accessibility. His tenure also saw the establishment of major festivals exploring the cultural contributions of nations such as Japan, China, and India, enhancing the center's international profile.

The DeVos Institute of Arts Management

In 2001, Kaiser founded the Kennedy Center Arts Management Institute, which was later renamed the DeVos Institute of Arts Management following a major gift from Richard and Helen DeVos. The institute, now housed at the University of Maryland, College Park, provides training, consultation, and fellowship programs for arts managers worldwide. Under his chairmanship, the institute has advised thousands of organizations across six continents, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Sydney Opera House, and the Royal Shakespeare Company, on strategic planning, marketing, and financial sustainability.

Publications and media

Kaiser is the author of several seminal books on arts management, including *The Art of the Turnaround: Creating and Maintaining Healthy Arts Organizations* and *Curtains? The Future of the Arts in America*. He has been a frequent contributor to *The Huffington Post* and *The Washington Post*, and has lectured extensively at institutions like Harvard University and the Stanford Graduate School of Business. His "Arts in Crisis" national tour, conducted under the auspices of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management, provided pro bono consulting to hundreds of organizations across the United States.

Personal life

Kaiser is married to Robert M. Gans, a physician and professor; the couple wed in 2013. He resides in Washington, D.C., and remains actively engaged in global arts consultancy, speaking engagements, and writing. He has served on the boards of several arts organizations and has been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Medal of Arts, for his contributions to the cultural landscape.

Category:American arts administrators Category:1955 births Category:Living people Category:John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Category:People from New York City Category:Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni Category:Brandeis University alumni