SCOTLAND-BORN and Jamaica-grown Andrea Dempster Chung is the embodiment of art itself — transformative, resonant, multifaceted, and ever-evolving. From an early age, she was captivated by the world of creativity. Whether tucking her sketchpad close during car rides, embracing student exchange experiences abroad, or enjoying Pantomime with her family, Dempster Chung knew that the arts were her true passion. However, influenced by the societal norms of the 1980s, she chose not to formally pursue it as a career, opting instead for more “traditional” subjects.

“I would have loved to study visual arts at the Sorbonne, but back then, there were simply no clear pathways for Caribbean artists. At that time, the arts were stigmatised — people often viewed it as a field for those without other options. When a child expressed interest in becoming an artist, parents felt disappointed and thankfully that is changing now,” she shared.

So, the young scholar chose a path that many would have considered the safer option — after spending her formative years in Scotland and Jamaica, she pursued civil and environmental engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta followed by a structural engineering degree at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in the United States.

Once she completed her studies and earned her professional engineering licence in the United States, Dempster Chung returned to Jamaica and embraced a diverse range of roles.

“I’ve worn many hats — from being director of technical services in the housing ministry, to opening an entrepreneurial venture, a bookstore and café, Bookophilia, to working in the financial services division at GraceKennedy, to leading human resources and organisational development at Digicel,” she reflected. “I was also the arts manager at British Council Jamaica and then I co-founded Kingston Creative in 2017.“

Though seemingly at odds with her creative spirit, her engineering and business background has been the perfect complement to her journey, bringing her to a place where her passions and business expertise converge.

It is this convergence that sparked the conceptualisation of Kingston Creative — an initiative designed to unleash Jamaica’s cultural and creative potential through the revitalisation of downtown Kingston and the empowerment of artists and creatives.

“I call myself a ‘visioneer.’ Once an idea becomes clear in my mind, it feels urgent, and I have to act,” she shared.

The concept of Kingston Creative initially filled her with both excitement and fear due to its ambitious goal of revitalising downtown Kingston through art and culture. However, the vision was so compelling that she enlisted her friends, Alan Daisley and Jennifer Bailey, and together, they boldly shared their plan publicly, setting a goal to raise $20 million to bring it to life.

They formed a non-profit organisation funded primarily by donations from like-minded individuals and a few supportive companies. The first project was painting murals on Water Lane, creating a public symbol of transformation. This grew into a monthly artwalk festival and meet-ups that united the community. Recognising a gap in professional development and business skills for creatives, Dempster Chung and her team made addressing this need a priority.

“We started with training because while Jamaica has immense creative talent, there was a significant gap in the business and digital skills needed to succeed in the creative economy. Through partnerships with organisations like the Inter-American Development Bank, the Development Bank of Jamaica, HEART Trust/NTA, Planning Institute of Jamaica, Sagicor, and Fight for Peace, we have trained over 5,000 creatives. These initiatives equip them with essential skills, empowering self-sustainability and connecting them to opportunities both locally and internationally,” she said.

Over the years, Kingston Creative has surpassed expectations, earning support from local and international stakeholders. The organisation has received prestigious accolades, including the World’s Best Creative Destination (2023), recognition from international tourism giant Expedia, and “Best Attraction” in the 25th annual Best of Jamaica Awards in the diaspora. These achievements have drawn global attention, with Dempster Chung now serving on the boards of the Global Creative Economy Council and the Global Cultural Districts Network. She is also a featured speaker at global events such as the World Conference on Creative Economy, the Abu Dhabi Culture Summit, and the World Summit on Arts & Culture, amplifying Jamaica’s influence on the world stage.

Kingston Creative has been instrumental in empowering creatives and revitalising downtown Kingston. Investments like the US$1.2 million IDB Lab-funded Createch programme, which supports travel grants and the Kulcha Connect app, and JAMPRO’s Best Pitch Forward competition offering seed capital, have bolstered the creative sector. The DBJ and TEF-backed co-working space at 107 Harbour Street further provides artists with tools to build sustainable businesses and leave lasting impacts on their communities.

In collaboration with government bodies, corporate sponsors, and brands like Red Stripe Flavours, Kingston Creative’s artwalk festivals have transformed Water Lane into a vibrant cultural attraction. Once overlooked, the area now draws tourists and international celebrities, including Estelle, Kerry Washington, DJ Khaled, and Michael Johnson. Looking ahead to 2025, Kingston Creative plans to elevate the downtown Kingston art district through its Adopt A Block programme, crowdfunding enhancements such as seating, shade, lighting, and greenery to solidify the district as a world-class cultural destination.

“To put it in local terms, Jamaica is a ‘hot girl,’ and the entire world knows it. Everywhere we go, people recognise our powerful culture and iconic Jamaicans. Our creatives are respected internationally, with other countries asking how we’ve managed to achieve so much on limited budgets. The truth is, we don’t fully appreciate how special we are or the importance of our culture to our development. If we saw ourselves as the world does, we’d act differently. Our creativity has immense value, and it’s time we embraced and protected it. With the changes we’re making in downtown Kingston and in the lives of creatives, I believe we’re well on our way,” Dempster Chung said.

For her, the journey is far from over. She envisions a dedicated creative centre in downtown Kingston where contemporary artists across all disciplines can find a home.

“We plan to renovate a specific building into a multifunctional space for showcasing artwork, hosting cultural events, producing music, and celebrating Jamaican literature and film. This centre will provide artists with the tools and infrastructure to thrive, enabling them to learn, grow, and showcase their talents.”

Dempster Chung’s vision for a Jamaica where art is celebrated as a respected and viable field contrasts sharply with her upbringing, when art was dismissed as an unworthy pursuit. She remains steadfast in her mission to change the narrative and ensure that the arts are seen as integral to Jamaica’s cultural and economic growth.

Andrea Dempster Chung, founder of Kingston Creative.