Image in header courtesy of Mia Cross
Here at the Cambridge Art Association we have incredible Staff that works hard to ensure the success of our Art Rental Program, education and professional programs, exhibition opportunities, fundraisers and SO much more. We want to take a moment to celebrate and re-introduce these individuals. Keep reading to learn more!
Erin Becker Norma Jean Calderwood Director | Since 2012, Erin has increased the visibility of the Association by expanding on the longtime exhibition and program schedules of the Kathryn Schultz Gallery, including: establishing a youth outreach program in collaboration with Cambridge Creativity Commons and Cambridge Youth Programs/Gately Youth Center; and fostering collaborative relationships with local organizations, including Maud Morgan Arts, Cambridge Community Television, Lesley University College of Art and Design and the Griffin Museum of Photography.
In addition to her work at CAA, Erin serves on the Board of Directors of the Harvard Square Business Association; the Advisory Board for Cambridge Open Studios; and is a co-founder of the Art Centers Alliance, a group of roughly 25 community arts leaders. She is also a past reviewer for the Cambridge Arts Council’s LLC Grant Program, and past Gala Committee Member at the Guidance Center. Erin holds a BA in Art History from Boston University (2004), and a Certificate from Boston University’s Institute for Nonprofit Management Leadership Core Program at Questrom Business School (2015). Erin lives in Somerville, MA, with her husband Andy.
If you are interested in contacting Erin you can email her at ebecker@cambridgeart.org.
Q & A
Where are you from? West Chester, Pennsylvania – it’s a suburb of Philadelphia.
What inspires you? So many things inspire me – people I meet, things I see online or on social media, reading. When I need to reset, I either go to a museum, or go into nature – a walk in the woods or on the beach helps to restore my creativity.
Do you make art? Not currently. I am eager to try out printmaking, particularly monotypes and, later, woodblock prints.
Is there another form of making/creating that you love? Favorite hobbies? I love to cook, and bring people together. I have a collection of over 100 cookbooks that inspire me, and enjoy trying out new dishes and cuisines. As a result, my husband and I often plan out our vacations around food (and art).
How did you first get involved in the arts? I’ve loved art, and made art in some form, for as long as I can remember. My first experience in the art world was a commercial gallery internship in London during college.
What is your favorite thing about working in the arts/with artists? I was an art history major at Boston University, and spent a semester studying in London. During my internship there, I had my first real experience in working directly with living artists. Up until that point, my studies had focused on past historical movements. The opportunity to engage in dialogue about their experience and their practice sparked an interest in this field. To this day, I am inspired by the artists I have a chance to work with at CAA.
What would you like to see more of in the Boston Arts scene? Community building. Chanel Thervil really inspired me last summer. We all need to be better about reaching out to artists – and people – who are different from us. The idea of the many is a powerful thing, and I would like to see more artists engaging with each other for a shared good.
Do you own any art of your own? Yes! The majority of the art my husband and I own is by artists I know, or have met in person. It’s a very personal, and eclectic, collection.
What is your favorite public art piece in Boston? I love that organizations in Boston are taking the initiative to create more, contemporary public art. If I had to pick just one, it would probably the art wall on the Greenway. I also enjoy the activations presented by Now + There. Growing up near Philadelphia, I was always inspired by the city’s extensive Mural Arts Program. Having art that is accessible to all is something that I think I took for granted until moving here.
What is your favorite restaurant in Boston? There are so many amazing new and old places, but I keep going back to Spoke in Davis Square.
