Erika N. Witt is a dynamic force in the world of Museology, serving as the Director and Chief Curator of Southern University at New Orleans Museum of Art and Adjunct Professor in Museum Studies. Based in the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana, she is driven by a passion for collections management and museum education, with a particular focus on the arts of Africa and the African diaspora, along with a specialization in Egyptology.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in museum studies with a concentration in History from Tusculum University in Greeneville, Tennessee. Subsequently, she continued her academic pursuits, obtaining a master’s degree in museum studies from Southern University at New Orleans. She is completing her doctoral studies at Louisiana State University College of Art + Design, pursuing a Doctor of Design in Cultural Preservation with a focus on Museum and Archival Studies. Her research centers on fostering the appreciation of traditional African art within cultural institutions across the city of New Orleans and historically black colleges and universities nationwide.
Erika aims to make museums more meaningful, impactful, and inclusive, especially for underserved communities. She ardently works to educate these communities about the rich tapestry of traditional African art history, aiming to bridge cultural gaps and promote cross-cultural appreciation.
