City Announces Venues Parks & Arts Executive Director

November 13, 2024

Today, the City of South Bend formally announced the appointment of Jordan Gathers as Executive Director of Venues Parks & Arts.

"Venues Parks & Arts hasn't skipped a beat under Jordan's leadership," said Mayor James Mueller. "I am confident that Jordan will continue to build on VPA's success, advancing our mission to deliver services that empower everyone to thrive."

Gathers has served as the Acting Executive Director of Venues Parks & Arts since May 2023. During his tenure as Acting Executive Director, Venues Parks & Arts has connected the community through engaging experiences, promoted safe, welcoming and vibrant parks, and advanced our public spaces as places where everyone can thrive.

"I am humbled and excited by this opportunity to lead the Venues, Parks & Arts team and look forward to continue serving South Bend residents," said Venues Parks & Arts Executive Director Jordan Gathers. "It is truly an honor to join hands with the community in pursuit of excellence and a future where arts flourish and our public spaces are vibrant centers of unity, joy, and opportunity for all."

Some key accomplishments under the leadership of Gathers include:

• bringing back South Bend's Ethnic Festival, reimagined as Fusion Fest,
• launching the $25 million Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center,
• completing $2 million of improvements to LaSalle Park,
• securing $7.5 million in federal funding for a new aquatic feature and improvements at Kennedy Park,
• receiving $3 million in state funding for improvements to the Byers Softball Complex,
• starting construction on the Raclin Murphy Encore Center-phase II of the Morris 100 project,
• adding the Coal Line and LINK Trails,
• envisioning upgrades to Potawatomi Park,
• fundraising over $3 million for youth programs and mentorship, and
• expanding access to opportunity through a Youth Employment Program and "Free Movies at the Morris" for more families to enjoy the 100-year-old theatre.

Gathers previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff from January 2020 until early 2023 when he transitioned to become Deputy Director of Venues, Parks, and Arts. Some of his projects include leading Mayor Mueller's Homelessness Implementation Group, serving on the Board of Public Works, and working with City departments to implement mayoral priorities.