Susan Oetgen brings over 20 years of experience as an independent arts consultant to her work directing and developing NASAA’s portfolio of arts learning projects. She currently directs NASAA’s States Leading Creative Aging project, and has been part of the team responsible for stewarding NASAA’s groundbreaking public-private partnership with E.A. Michelson Philanthropy to advance lifelong learning in the arts in state arts agencies across the country, since its inception in 2019. From 2014-2023, Susan oversaw the annual arts education Professional Development Institute, in collaboration with NASAA’s Arts Education Working Group and the National Endowment for the Arts. In 2018, she established the biannual Mid-Atlantic Teaching Artists Retreat partnership between NASAA and a committee of state arts agencies from the Mid-Atlantic region. Susan championed the creation of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Arts Subcommittee of NASAA’s Arts Education Managers Peer Group, and represented NASAA as facilitator and point person for the Arts Education Partnership’s national Equity Working Group. In 2017, Susan was tapped to codesign and manage NASAA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mentorship pilot program.
As principal and founder of ArtsAspire Consulting, Susan helps clients catalyze change for the common good through the power of the arts. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in theology with a specialization in the religions of the African diaspora from Georgetown University, a master of music degree in classical vocal performance with a specialization in Latin American vocal music from the Catholic University of America, and a graduate certificate in advanced skills in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Expressive Arts Therapy from Lesley University.
