Upcoming Transition of ArtWell’s Founder & Executive Director, Susan Teegen

With deep respect and grateful hearts, we announce the upcoming transition of ArtWell’s Executive Director, Susan Teegen.

We celebrate Susan’s incredible service and impact within Philadelphia and local communities. In 2001, Susan founded ArtWell (then called the Arts and Spirituality Center). Leading the organization collaboratively, she spread inspiration through ArtWell’s core values: the power of imagination, healing, community, social justice, spirituality, and love.

Over the last 21 years, ArtWell has worked with over 400 schools, community programs, and faith-based organizations. Through art, music, and poetry as a vehicle for social-emotional learning, trauma-responsive practice, and critical inquiry we nurture students’ leadership skills, literacy development, communication, connection, and creative problem-solving. 

Susan has decided to joyfully pass the torch to a new Executive Director. She is also excited about her next endeavor—as she is expanding her private practice as a professional coach, counselor, spiritual companion/director, and consultant with individuals and groups. In addition to working virtually, Susan is grateful to be part of the Building Bridges community of independent psychotherapists and other mental health practitioners in Media, PA.

Susan will remain beloved at ArtWell as we move forward on our separate journeys and ArtWell welcomes and holds space for new leadership. To prepare, the Board has appointed a transition committee, and we will engage a search firm to ensure we bring on a creative and visionary leader to be an inspiring ambassador for ArtWell.

The magic and healing of ArtWell classrooms are underway across Philadelphia. This fall, we launched programs in 29 classrooms, serving 684 students. Across all youth and adult programs in 2020/2021, ArtWell served more than 1,000 individuals. We’ve expanded our staff and brought on new board members. We’ve also retained brilliant and adaptable Teaching Artists, who are partnering with schools in new and creative ways to ensure students are supported and empowered through creative expression. 

ArtWell is well-equipped to support the upcoming transition and welcomes continued support so we can keep broadening our community reach.

We invite you to join us in offering a heartfelt thank you to Susan Teegen for her extraordinary tenure as ArtWell’s Executive Director. Also, be sure to stay tuned as we provide updates on the transition and on celebrating Susan’s leadership in the coming months!