Samantha Teter

“As an Executive Director, I am being pulled in several directions day in and day out. My office time is often interrupted frequently by staff, emails, and phone calls - all needing immediate attention. I have mounds of paperwork frequently in my inbox and on my desk that needs dealt with. My capacity to think strategically and take time for analysis, idea-generation, and planning is minimal in my day-to-day duties. I had also been mired in a personnel issue all Spring/Summer that had taken up a significant amount of my time and energy. To be honest, I was on the verge of burnout prior to my residency (as many EDs become). My two weeks at Hambidge not only allowed me the opportunity to focus on my work with little distraction, it also gave me a chance to breathe, to relax, to refresh. In addition to my heavy workload at the office, I have responsibility for my family, as well as my own creative pursuits. The time away allowed me to focus on myself, and to come back a better rested and more connected person. Personally, my creative outlet is singing and theatre. When I wasn't working on my projects, I took the time to sing and work on some new repertoire (with no one around, I wasn't worried about criticism!) I also had purchased several books relating to leadership, nonprofit management, and business, and the downtime allowed me to catch up on a lot of reading. This was my first residency, but it won't be my last. I recommend a Hambidge residency for those who need the time and space to think, create, and energize away from the real world. My board chair could immediately see a renewed energy in my upon my return, and I know I need to remember to take the time away that's needed in order to be successful in the long run.”



– Samantha Teter, Tennessee, Arts & Culture Administration