Bio
Jordan Campbell is a dynamic emerging leader in the American arts & cultural sector. With a career that spans the fields of education, arts & culture, policy, and executive leadership, Jordan has a consistent track record of trailblazing strategic innovation. In just two years as the Executive Director of the Gateway Regional Arts Center, his bold vision has ignited a staggering 522% increase in the annual budget and tripled participant engagement, which has not only revitalized access to the arts in rural Appalachian Eastern Kentucky but has also set new standards for cultural innovation in rural communities nationwide.
Jordan holds an Ed.M. from Harvard Graduate School of Education, a BFA in Musical Theatre & BA in Political Science from Western Kentucky University and studied West African Theatre & Dance at the University of Ghana. At Harvard, Campbell not only conducted pivotal research in arts education but also launched the inaugural Harvard Veritas Play Festival and the Harvard Graduate School Theatre Collective.
Much of Jordan's work is informed by many years as a professional stage actor. As a Helen Hayes Award-nominated performer, Jordan has dazzled audiences around the world in Broadway tours, at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Grand Ole Opry. As a passionate educator, Jordan has taught theatre to individuals of all ages, from young students in India and China to adults in Saudi Arabia and Washington, DC. His teaching philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that the arts are a powerful tool for personal and societal transformation. This conviction is reflected in his extensive work in arts education, where he has contributed to numerous publications and conferences on topics such as youth voice in creative placemaking and social justice through creative methods.
Jordan's dynamic career trajectory is a testament to his multidisciplinary approach in the creative sector, including influential roles at the White House during the Obama administration, Americans for the Arts, and the President's Committee on the Arts & Humanities. As the Director of Research & Learning at Creative Generation, he managed over 50 groundbreaking projects at the intersection of arts, youth, and civic engagement, working with global stakeholders from numerous professional sectors to increase field-building and support arts learning initiatives. Jordan is also the Founder and Co-Chair of the Small Town America Institute for Rural Arts & Culture.
Jordan aims to further contribute to the field through rigorous research, innovative leadership, and transformative impact as a current Ph.D. candidate in Arts Administration at the University of Kentucky.