The City of Germantown has a new executive director at the helm of its Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC), having appointed Parke Kennedy to take the reins from Paul Chandler. As former Director of Development at GPAC, Kennedy brings a track record of leadership and fundraising expertise to her new role as head of the cultural institution. According to the city's announcement, she's honored to steer GPAC, which she describes as a "jewel" in nurturing arts and arts education within the community.
Kennedy's journey with GPAC began in 2017, and her accomplishments were instrumental to the organization's growth. She led a $7.5 million capital campaign in her first year that brought to life The Grove, GPAC's outdoor venue. However, it wasn't just capital projects that benefitted from her expertise; she also managed to secure over $1.8 million in federal grant funding to support GPAC’s programming and operations. This strategic blend of funding and community engagement, noted for by the GPAC Board of Directors, positioned her as the frontrunner to succeed Chandler.
The Board expressed unanimous support for Kennedy. “When Paul shared the news that he was departing to take on a new and exciting challenge, the Executive Committee quickly came to the consensus that Parke was who we wanted to recommend to the City,” said GPAC Board Chair Patrick O'Connor, as quoted by the City of Germantown's news release. The board’s immediate past president, Carol Ross-Spang, shared similar support, highlighting Kennedy’s strong energy and passion for the arts, qualities the board believes will contribute to GPAC’s ongoing success.
Before joining GPAC, Kennedy accumulated extensive experience in the arts sector, including roles with ARTSmemphis and leadership positions at Tennesseans for the Arts (TFTA). She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in International Relations and Economics from Tufts University, as well as master’s degrees in International Relations and Communications from Boston University. As per the news release, Germantown City Administrator Jason Huisman lauded Kennedy’s “deep understanding of the regional arts landscape,” combined with her leadership skills, deeming her ideal for GPAC’s trajectory forward.
GPAC, an integral cultural hub, boasts of several facilities including the Highland Capital Performance Hall, The Grove, and the Watkins Studio Theater. Established by a show-stopping performance by Ray Charles in 1994, GPAC has set a standard of excellence ever since, both as a community center and a performance stage that hosts a diverse range of world-class artists.
