Cheltenham Center for the Arts Names New Director

The Cheltenham Center for the Arts has a new leader.

The organization's board of directors unanimously approved Margaret Griffen as executive director earlier this month.  

Griffen has served the art center for four years, first as the center’s camp director and business manager; then as director of education and operations since 2011. During her tenure, the center has cultivated a period of development and sustainability. 

“As the Board of the Cheltenham Center for the Arts, we find ourselves in the enviable position of continued growth and expansion in our offerings to both children and adults,” Board President Gavin Hanlon said in a press release. “Because of this growth, we felt it was the perfect time to offer Margaret Griffen the position of Executive Director.” 

Griffen has a bachelor’s degree in theater and drama from the University of Wisconsin and has a master’s degree in early childhood education from National Louis University.

Griffen was previously the head buyer for the book department at Zany Brainy, overseeing the business as it grew from 11 to more than 80 stores. Griffen also has extensive experience in consulting work, writing reading guides for publishers, creating workshops for teachers and business plans for an educational website. 

She also has deep roots in the Cheltenham community, where she is an active volunteer.