AWAKEN YOUR dreams

2 0 1 5 ANNUAL REPORT

July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015 ARTWELL WAS FOUNDED IN 2000 to respond to the chronic community violence in Philadelphia by introducing a preventive, educational, arts-oriented approach to reach underserved communities and youth facing discrimination, poverty, violence, and the everyday challenges of growing up.

Among the 10 most populous U.S. cities, Philadelphia ranks highest in deep poverty and has a 70% four-year graduation rate against the 86% statewide average.

Our mission is to support young people through arts education and creative reflection to discover their strengths, face complex challenges, and awaken their dreams.

www.theArtWell.org FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear Friends,

At ArtWell, the power of collaboration in service of reach through new Board members and strategic alliances. the world that we want to create with our youth and communities has made for an amazing season In ArtWell classrooms, we witness every day how the arts break of growth. through despair and build community. We celebrate as our students shine with their newly discovered abilities to write, make music, During 2014-2016, ArtWell created three new create art and lead change in their schools and neighborhoods. program expansions that have already served 830 students in 33 classrooms across Greater As 4th grade students at Dunbar Elementary expressed in their Philadelphia. We have grown and nurtured our core of teaching original rhythm and song: artists who bring a wealth of different art forms and inspiring We are Heartbeat, we play drums abilities to connect with and engage our students. Our students have The rhythm teaches us where we’re from exhibited and performed their work at the extraordinary ArtWell At the end of the song there’s more we know Awards and the ArtWell Festival held at our beautiful new home at Changing the world as we go! Oxford Mills Center for Educational Excellence. ArtWell students also performed for and connected with visionary artists Spike Lee and For the change that is needed, your partnership is essential. Thanks Philadelphia Poet Laureates Sonia Sanchez and Yolanda Wisher. to all who invest in ArtWell and in our students as they create the rhythms of healing, the voices of hope, and visions of the joyful In addition to core program expansions, we have improved world that is possible. evaluation tools in partnership with Research for Action and Drexel University Creative Arts Therapy Department and have With heartfelt gratitude! significantly expanded our Professional Development offerings. These advancements help ArtWell continue to grow partnerships with behavioral and public health partners and arts and community leaders to work together for a stronger collective impact to help our Rev. Susan Teegen students and communities heal from trauma. ArtWell Executive Director

ArtWell has also strengthened operations by aligning our fiscal year P.S. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (artwellphilly), visit our new with our program year and outlining a 2016 - 2019 Strategic Plan, website at www.theArtWell.org, and be sure to subscribe to ArtWell which guides us to focus on deeper impact while also expanding our eNews! ARTWELL CORE PROGRAMS Since 2000, ArtWell has had the honor to work with hundreds of amazing partners including schools, libraries, diverse faith-based organizations, and health and social-service providers to serve an average of 1500 students per year across the Greater Philadelphia region.

THE ART OF GROWING LEADERS WE THE POETS is an expansion of ArtWell’s rites of passage program, The ArtWell’s longest running program, We the Poets, builds Art of Growing Up. Through mask-making, poetry and multi- literacy skills, communication, self expression and fosters a disciplinary arts, students build trust with one another and love of a learning through poetry. The We the Poets curriculum explore their identity and aspirations, inspired by cross-cultural is aligned with state and core standards for grades 1-12 and coming of age traditions. Later in the program, students identify has been used in Pennsylvania districts for standardized test their unique strengths as leaders and work together on a social (PSSAs) preparation tied to literacy comprehension. action project using art for advocacy and activism. ECOARTS Partners can select either the rites of passage or leadership EcoArts uses art, poetry, and reflection to engage youth in development components or choose a year-long program with exploring and redefining what the “environment” means to both. Participant groups may be single or mixed gender. them. In EcoArts workshops, students reflect not only how they can impact and care for their surroundings, but how the HEARTBEAT environment can impact their lives and well being. Students use Thanks to generous funding from the William Penn Foundation, arts and poetry to imagine the world they want to live in and the ArtWell launched a 15 ­week HeartBeat music program for K-5 advocate for environmental justice and sustainability. classrooms at nine schools. Building on 15 years of partnership with Marcy Francis and Jan Jeffries, ArtWell’s Percussion ↑ Through a 2-year grant from the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Artists-­in­-Residence, the program uses the power of West Church Foundation of the Eugene C. Bay Fund, ArtWell expanded African and Afro-­Caribbean music and tradition as a vehicle to its reach through EcoArts in partnership with the Boys & Girls engage youth, while integrating ArtWell’s expertise in poetry for Club of Chester, which under the leadership of Janet Riley Ford, literacy-building and reflection. Executive Director, has a wealth of dynamic relationships with partners in Chester that focus on creating sustainable youth development. POETRY HELPS ME GET WHAT’S INSIDE TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

OUT, SO THE WORLD CAN SEE ME IN A ArtWell’s Professional Development workshops introduce educators NEW WAY. - Jayden, ArtWell Student and youth service providers to our unique approach, which combines creative expression and reflection to provide new tools for MASTERPEACE engaging young people, as well as a sense of replenishment, joy and ArtWell’s MasterPeace program engages students and community for the professionals who participate. communities in large-scale arts processes such as Through hands-on arts activities, participants will experience how murals, mosaics and installations, in order to overcome poetry, visual art and music encourage youth to become aware of obstacles, build bridges and lift up strengths. MasterPeace their inner resilience, to have a greater respect for cultural diversity, is a collaborative community project that creates large build literacy skills and academic engagement, and to value their pieces of artwork in the city, restoring neighborhoods and own voices, visions and creative spirit. empowering individuals. Our goal is to support individuals and organizations in their needs SLAM TEAM as professionals who directly impact our youth and the future of ArtWell has been honored to help support young poets our communities. We tailor our workshops to ensure that you are through our ArtWell Slam Team which competed in 2015 equipped with the specific skills and support you need to best serve through the Philly Youth Poetry Movement’s Philadelphia your youth’s needs. city-wide Slam League. Commonly requested Professional Development Training Topics ↑ ArtWell’s Slam Team is gearing up for the upcoming Slam include: League in Spring 2016 with a city-wide team based out of • Team Building Parkway West High School and led by co-coaches Sara • Healing from Loss, Trauma and Secondary Trauma Graybeal and Julian Randall. • Arts Integration • Poetry for Literacy Building • Building Community and Sanctuary through the Arts

ArtWell also offers fee-for-service adult art workshops and retreats by request, and provides grant-funded workshops at no cost to groups and organizations when available. Paying at the higher end of the spectrum supports ArtWell’s ability to provide arts-based programming for youth and to work with other groups/organizations at little to no cost. To learn how you can become a participant, or bring a program to a school or organization in your neighborhood, please contact Julia Terry, Program Director (215.386.7705 x 6) or submit your request by completing the Booking Request Form online at www.theArtWell.org. IN THE CLASSROOM ArtWell responds to the challenges facing our youth:

In 2014/2015, ArtWell brought core 42 programs to 42 classrooms across 30 sites

80% of ArtWell students surveyed in 2014/2015 want to work with 80% others to help solve problems in their communities

82% of ArtWell students surveyed in MY ART WILL MAKE 82% 2014/2015 feel involved and important A DIFFERENCE. in classes - Olivia, ArtWell Student, Grade 7

In 2014/2015, ArtWell served 1500 students across the Greater 1.5k Philadelphia region

Since 2000 ArtWell has grown to partner with over 395 organizations 33.5K and serve more than 33,500 participants.

www.theArtWell.org PROGRAM PARTNERS

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICE OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME / COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS Achieving Independence Center The Attic Youth Center Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – Violence Prevention Boys and Girls Club of Chester Initiative Camp Sojourner Girls’ Leadership Camp Health Federation of Greater Philadelphia Columbia North YMCA NorthEast Treatment Centers Police Athletic League (PAL) Turning Points for Children Taller Puertorriqueño YESPhilly EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS Parent-Infant Center PUBLIC / CHARTER SCHOOLS Bache-Martin Elementary School INDEPENDENT & FAITH-BASED INSTITUTIONS Folk-Arts Cultural Treasures Charter School Al-Aqsa Islamic Academy James G. Blaine School Esperanza James Rhoads Elementary Friends’ Central School John H. Taggart School International Montessori School at Paoli Memphis Street Academy Charter School La Salle Academy Olney Charter High School North Penn Mosque Parkway West High School → on We the Poets... Quba Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies Paul L. Dunbar School Students have Saint Francis De Sales School Penn Alexander School gained confidence, The U School skills, and most RESEARCH AND EVALUATION PARTNERS importantly passion Drexel University School of Nursing – Creative Arts for written and Therapies Program spoken poetry. Research for Action

Fiscal year July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 2014/2015 HIGHLIGHTS

→ ArtWell programs impacted 1,500 students in 2014/2015. At one program, held at James Rhoads Elementary, we were able to teach multi-disciplinary art forms several days a week throughout the entire school-year, including poetry, mural-making, and photography. Many students were not reading or writing at grade level. ArtWell organized additional volunteers to join classes for two extra hours per week to help bring students up to reading level. Students improved their skills, gained confidence, and were ultimately able to create beautiful poetry journals which also contained photographic self-portraits. At a public culminating celebration, the audience was brought to tears as we watched students beam with pride over all that they had done; over all they could do. For information about ArtWell volunteer opportunities email us at [email protected].

→ Thanks to our dedicated supporters in June 2014, ArtWell was able to win an online contest and receive an IKEA makeover for its new office location at Oxford Mills.

→ Expanding upon our successful The Art of Growing Up® program, ArtWell launched The Art of Growing Leaders, which includes a leadership component developed through a highly competitive grant from Impact100 Philadelphia. The program culminates with each group of students developing a creative social action project to address an issue they face in their communities.

→ Comprised of students from Philadelphia-area schools, ArtWell’s Slam Poetry Team took on high school teams from the region in spring 2015 and advanced to the semi-finals in the PYPM Slam League. She calls it her garden of hope. Every day she watches over it to see if something will grow. - Kadidja, ArtWell Slam Team Member, Grade 9

→ ArtWell partnered with Al-Aqsa Islamic Society, City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, and community partners in South Kensington and across Philadelphia in spring 2016 to create a public mural for peace and understanding. The “Windows to Peace” project, to be completed in 2016, has already engaged people of many races and many faiths including Muslim, Jews, Christians, ↑ 2015 ARTWELL AWARDS Atheists, and more. ArtWell was delighted to gather with more than 320 supporters and friends on October 17, 2015 for a joyful → In May 2015, ArtWell hosted its inaugural ArtWell celebration highlighting honorees Spike Lee, Lynne Festival, a free city-wide celebration, bringing over 300 Horoschak, and Jerron Corley. Look for coverage of this people together from across Greater Philadelphia for inspiring event in our next annual report (2016 summer/ an afternoon of song, drumming, poetry, mask-making, fall release). envisioning and play.

→ In 2015, ArtWell partnered with creative agency Here’s My Chance, made possible by The Philadelphia artwellphilly Foundation, to update outreach materials, including the AWAKEN ArtWell website (relaunched September 2015), a program brochure, and an ArtWell video. Visit our new digital home YOUR @artwellphilly at www.theArtWell.org and follow us on social media for the latest ArtWell developments. dreams @artwellphilly REVENUE & SUPPORT AWAKENING DREAMS Figures for 2015 are reflective of ArtWell’s recent move Gifts of all sizes make a difference for ArtWell students: to the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014 and ending June 30, 2015. Provide a high school group of 20 students with consistent poetry workshops throughout their 4 years 2015 MAJOR FUNDING SOURCES $25K of high school, helping them develop

350000 literacy and writing skills A B 300000 Provide a 30 week program, helping 250000 A 20 students to discover their creative 200000 B $5K strengths and honor those of others 150000

A 100000 Provide 10 weeks of percussion and 50000 B A B poetry classes to a child who has 0 $2K never experienced multicultural music INDIVIDUALS FOUNDATIONS GOVERNMENT PROGRAM education ACTUAL (A) / BUDGET (B) Support a culminating event, where OVERALL GROWTH OF REVENUE & SUPPORT students can proudly share their $500 creativity with their family, friends, 2012 Jan. 2012 - Dec. 2012 $433,513 and community

2013 Jan. 2013 - Dec. 2013 $527,894 Staff a classroom of 20 students with 2014 Jan. 2014 - June 2014 $220,880 (Fiscal Year Transition) 2 talented teaching artists who will FY ‘15 July 2014 - June 2015 $678,957 teach youth creative skills, and serve $80 as mentors to students who need 0 100000 200000 300000 400000 500000 600000 700000 more caring adults in their lives.

www.theArtWell.org INSTITUTIONAL SuPPORTERS

The Allen Hilles Fund Saul Ewing, LLP Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Seybert Foundation Bemis Company St. Luke United Church Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, Tabernacle United Church Eugene C. Bay Fund Union Benevolent Association Children’s Hospital of William Penn Foundation Philadelphia Connelly Foundation Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial The John Templeton Foundation Lindback Foundation Lindy Center for Civic Engagement Lumpkin Family Foundation Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Penn Treaty Special Services District Philadelphia Cultural Fund The Philadelphia Foundation SOMETIMES you have to Public Citizens for Children and try new things to find Youth, Picasso Project out who you are. Rosenlund Family Foundation - Michael, ArtWell Student, Grade 7 www.theArtWell.org Fiscal year July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 Supporters Thank you to our many supporters who inspire us every day as we pursue our vision of a better Philadelphia.

$150K $750+ Karen Armstrong & Daniel Rader Seth Koppes Syed Afzal Theodore & Barbara Aronson Marshall Canosa Judy Eidelson Eliza Auth John Cassidy $50K+ Frank Hollick & Bonnie Queen Shelly Baker-Scott Allan Chase John & Josephine Templeton Jordan Horoschak & John & Jeris Baranowski Sandra & Jean Marc Choukroun Michelle Carreras Katherine Barham Mark Colvson & Debra Bucher $35K+ Lynne & William Horoschak Ellen Barish John & Charlene Compher Jennifer & Scott Simpson Dorothy McCabe Barbara Beck John & Jenna Conley Joy Mills & Buck Benedict William & Debbie Becker William Conrad & Betti Kahn $5K+ Patricia Pearce & Kip Leitner Tanesha Bedford Alice Cooke Cathleen & David Cohen Nina Schafer Tom Bemont Elizabeth Cory Nangle Arthur & Julia Solmssen Patricia & Charles Smail Gerda Bennett Tressa Costen Abby Stamelman Hocky & Paul & Joan Bergsteinsson Patricia Coyne $2.5K+ Eric Hocky Eleanor & Peter Bloch Elaine Crivelli Peg & Michael Ambrose Cory Stirling Barbara & Claire Blynn Tara Curran Cissy & Bill Claypool Elizabeth Stull Emily Brady Douglas De Clerck John & Marianne Golieb Mitchel Zimmerman Rod Bran Yvonne De Seta Edward & Kathy Kelly Rhonda Zimmerman Elisa Braver Robert & Jane Dearborn Barbara & Fred Sutherland Joseph & Caren Brenman Nancy DeLucia Donald & Susan Wargo UP TO $750 Joan Brooks Tina DiCroce Celia Abrams Dina Burcat Meredith Dieda $1.5K+ Mac Ackers Gail & Joel Burcat Jeffrey & Heather Dill Eve Bogle Jonathan Acklen Shira Burcat & David Sarfati Monica & Ramy Djerassi Rev. Richard Fernandez & Nancy Adess John Burke Ricci & Michael Doctrow Eloise Chevrier Deborah Ahrens Deborah Burnham Maurine Doggett & James Thacker Adab Ibrahim Ruth & Micheal Aichenbaum Linda Burns Alice & Peter Dustin Fariha Khan & Michael Carey Nancy Ameen & Alan Hoden Marilyn Burstin Dawn Chloe Early Susan Teegen Rehana & Mohammad Jan Geneva Butz Arnold & Barbara Eiser Cindy Anderson Ann Cameron Rabbi Nancy Epstein Geraldine & Douglas Anderson Carolyn Cannuscio Rader James Fairburn

Fiscal year July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 Supporters

UP TO $750 Leon Gubersky Rabbi Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer Dylan Marton Elizabeth Fischer Jane Hagy Nancy Krody Christopher Marvel Ethan & Sari Fogel Roslyn Hansen Stuart Krueger Sue Ellen Mathers Laura Ford Randi & John Harris Lynn Lampman & Lynn Major Krystel Mazzeo Judy Fowler Elizabeth Hart Lance & Mary Laver Sean McBrearty Anne Francois Barry & Patricia Hartman Barbara Lavinson Annie McCloskey Emily & Gregg Freeburn Hara Hartman & Michael Pucci Lynn & Andrew Lees Barbara & Joseph McGraw Paula Freilich Maya Hartman Alice & Robert Leitner Daniel McMahon Nina Fulmer Molly Hartman Sam Lemon Thomas McManus Samuel Fulmer Rachael Hartman Allison Levin Kyle McNally Bethany Ganley Alix Heald Rafi Levin Jaclyn McNealis Marcus Gaskins Cynthia Henderson Julie & Jerry Levitt Alan Mendelsohn Alyson Giantisco Richard Henson Rebecca Levy Bernard Mennis & Barbara Ferman Emma Giantisco John Hickey Avery Lloyd Joyce Millman Jeanine & Richard Giantisco Michael & Meredith Hilferty Margaret Lonzetta Michael Mongeluzzi Ric Giantisco Joseph & Fay Hocky Timothy Loose Nathan Moore Beth Glenn John & Kathleen Howard Chip & April Loutrel Marc Morello Edward Goldberg Cary Huggard Gregory MacAvoy Julie Morris Josh Golstein & Laura Line Julie Hurvitz-Aliaga Kevin MacAvoy Diana Mutz Pauline Goldstein Tim Jackson Patrick MacAvoy & Jennifer Sang Jennifer & Samuel Nemroff Daniel Goldstein Phyllis & Mark Jacobs Jean Magargee Diane Nissen & Jerry Gollub Leslie Golomb & Ronnie Hartman Edward Johnson & Jeffrey Maisonet Kenneth Norgan Duran Goodyear Elisabeth Steuble-Johnson Donald & Brigitte Manekin Annie Oberfield Laura & Louis Gordon Amy & Joe Katz Barry & Tilda Mann John O’Brien Kristen Gorman Derek Khoudja Holly Mantle Wexler & Brenda Oliphant Reverend Charlotte & Jennifer Kirkpatrick & Chase Wexler Christine Oliver Charles Gosselink Michael Guldin Stacie & Steven Mantle Julie Palinkas Eileen Grabosky Jonathan Kleinbard Kevin Marciano Natalie Payne Shelly Green & Michael Golden Jeffrey Knott Rachel King & Anthony Marco Tali Perlman Julie & Alan Gubernick Devin Krause Katherine Marcucci Supporters Thank you to our many supporters who inspire us every day as we pursue our vision of a better Philadelphia.

UP TO $750 Amanda & Dick Smoot Janet Unger Samuel & Susan Pierce Pat & John Smyth Christopher Varano Marcus & Nancy Pomeroy Beryl Sortino Laura Vigilante Brooke Pooler Reena Spicehandler & Josephine Viviani & Joseph Betz Christopher Proudford Jeremy Brochin John Wargo David Pudlin & Helen Pomeranth Mark Spiller & Amy Cohen Sarah Wargo Alice Rader Nancy Spinner John Weber Bryce Remsburg Christina Steffner Sally Webster Natalie Renew Cynthia Stewart Paul & Meredith Weil John & Virginia Rice Matt Swinand & Sabrina Sukhan Sheila Weinberg Betsy & Graham Robb Jaqueline Sullivan Jon Wescott Catherine Roberts Mark Tadeo Dennis & Claudia Willson Erin Robinson Jean Taranta Susan Windle Judith Romig Dorothy Taylor Carl & Pecki Witonsky Laurie & Steve Rosard Phyllis & Richard Taylor Kelly Wohlgemuth Diane Roscoe Evelyn & Richard Teegen William Yeh Michele Roussell Handly Templeton Sherley Young Myrna Rubin Lauren Templeton Henia Zanetti Stuart Rubin Nancie Thompson Rabbi Shawn Zevit Cindy & Rob Savett Jeffrey Thomsen & Jackson Zhong Nina Schafer Catherine Coyle George Scholl David Tilley I LEARNED HOW TO EXPRESS Harold & Myra Shapiro David & Delia Tittle McLean Sheperd Frank & Linda Toia MYSELF THROUGH ART, NOW William Shuey Sharon Tompa I’M OPEN TO SO MUCH MORE. Laurel & Jeffrey Silber John Trotman Cynthia Simpson Rosemary Tullio - Zoey, Art of Growing Leaders Student Marie Slanina Deborah & George Tustin Alexandra Sliner Carol Spann Tyson & Juan Tyson Catherine Smith Leah Unger

Fiscal year July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Susan Wargo, Chair ArtWell leaders Jennifer Sang, Esq., Vice Chair Patricia Pearce, Honorary Chair EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE Patricia Smail, Finance Chair Rev. Susan Teegen Joe Brenman Abby Stamelman Hocky Marcy Francis Jan Jeffries PROGRAMS & EDUCATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Cathleen Cohen, PhD / Education Director Patrick MacAvoy, Esq. Julia Katz Terry, MAT / Program Director TEACHING ARTISTS Secretary Kris Smith, MSW / Program Associate Jac Alyanakian Carlos Pacheco- Rev. Geneva Butz Valerie Anderson Perez Adrienne Wallace Chew Jay Beck Julian Randall DEVELOPMENT, GRANTS & COMMUNICATIONS Tina DiCroce Joe Brenman Kara Rutledge Shira Burcat, MSW / Development Manager Josh Goldstein Nathalie Cerin Adina Shapiro Alyson Giantisco / Creative Catalyst Lynne Horoschak Cathy Cohen Anssumane Silla Marcos Reynaga / Communications Manager Adab Ibrahim Jessica Eldredge Kris Smith Natalie Ewing Payne Ariel Eure Julia Terry Jennifer Simpson FINANCE Lee Fogel Rebeccah Ulm Carolyn S. Tyson Justin Moore / Financial Manager Marcy Francis Mariam Williams Holly Mantle Wexler Sara Graybeal Jesse White ↑ Thank you to Patricia Coyne, Monique Bair DiSabatino, Marcus Gaskins, Fariha Khan (2015 Clinton Graybill Dahlia Wigfall Chair), and Kameelah Rashad for their commitment and leadership as ArtWell board members Desire Grover Yolanda Wisher during 2014/2015. Najee Haynes-Follins Ami Yares Melanie Hsu Jan Jeffries FRIENDS OF ARTWELL Blew Kind Mohammad Aziz Huma Hafeez Marcie Mamura Arthur Benedict Joy Mills Robb McCall Gabe Canuso Armana Rehman, Esq. Marissa Messina Helen Dennis Ruthanne Schlarbaum Akosua Nyo Yvette Duperon Amanda Smoot Angel Pabon Anne M. Francois, Ph.D.

ArtWell Leaders as of March 2016 2015 Annual Report Photography: Kara Foran and Haigen Pearson ArtWell supports young people through arts education and creative reflection to discover their strengths, face complex challenges, and awaken their dreams.

theArtWell.org

artwellphilly @artwellphilly @artwellphilly

215-386-7705 | 100 W. Oxford Street, Suite E-1200 Philadelphia, PA 19122