Erica Richard

Erica Richard is an art educator and advocate for creative learning who currently leads Youth and Family Learning at the Saint Louis Art Museum. She designs inquiry-driven programs that foster connection, curiosity, and meaningful engagement with art for audiences of all ages. Previously, Erica managed school programs and educator resources at the Denver Art Museum and taught art across PreK–12 settings. She is committed to supporting educators through teaching, professional development, and leadership with organizations including the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, the Contemporary Art Educators Coalition (CAEC), Colorado TAB (CoTAB), and CreativeMornings.

Erica Richard will be speaking at the Creative Museums Summit 2026 :

Babies, Dogs, Laughs and Lessons

Educators from the Saint Louis Art Museum will share how a grant-funded initiative became a testing ground for playful, audience-centered programs designed to welcome visitors who may not traditionally see the Museum as a place for them. Through four case studies—Baby & Me, Gallery Laughs, Dog Days of Summer, and University Day—participants will explore how to identify audience needs, build authentic community partnerships, evaluate programs in real time, and adapt when things don’t go as planned. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for designing bold, responsive programs that reduce barriers, deepen engagement, and create lasting connections.