performing artist vs performer

performing artist and performer both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
performing artist	Yes	No	No	No
performer	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, performing artist and performer are synonyms defined as:

performing artist and performer: an entertainer who performs a dramatic or musical work for an audience

performing artist (noun)	performer (noun)
an entertainer who performs a dramatic or musical work for an audience	an entertainer who performs a dramatic or musical work for an audience