ABOUT
ArtWell is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works in partnership with schools and other organizations to create supportive spaces for Philadelphia youth to engage in artmaking as a pathway to self-expression and wellness.
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. Our mission is to create supportive spaces for Philadelphia youth to engage in artmaking as a pathway to self-expression and wellness.
ArtWell has grown to partner with over 400 organizations and serve more than 46,800 participants in the Greater Philadelphia region. In the 2024-2025 fiscal year, we served approximately 1,000 students ages 5-18, including youth from private and public schools, as well as community organizations.
Our innovative approach utilizes best practices in Critical Pedagogy, Multicultural Education, Asset Based Youth Development and Social-Emotional Learning. Workshops are student-centered and combine the building and mastery of arts skills with dialogue, inquiry, and reflection to explore “big ideas” and essential questions that are relevant in young people’s lives. Teaching artists engage youth in critical thought and often difficult dialogues through creativity and self expression by creating a community where students feel safe to be their authentic selves, share stories, take risks and grow.
By fostering creativity, enhancing communication, and building literacy skills, ArtWell helps individuals from diverse cultures and faith traditions to deepen their understandings of themselves and their community and to ultimately reduce violence and increase peace within our city and region.
ArtWell celebrates the power of community.
To learn how you can become a volunteer, participant, or bring a program to a school or organization in your neighborhood, please contact our Program Coordinator Keyonna Butler.