Erin Price, Graduate Student Instructor, PhD student, and researcher, has won the prestigious MAEA Higher Education Art Educator of the Year Award. The mission of the Missouri Art Education Association (MAEA) is to preserve and perpetuate visual art education through opportunities, collaboration, and promotion. This award honors the dedication of those who have demonstrated exemplary art education instruction and high impact throughout the state.

Erin’s early career was rooted in the public-school classroom, during which time she was actively involved in her school and community. Her tenure as an art teacher and gifted and talented artist/researcher led to a profound impact she has had on higher education, the public school system at Columbia, and art education at the University of Missouri. 

Erin works to create opportunities for practicing teachers in the state and region through MAEA and NAEA (National Art Education Association) and has a strong history of professional active participation with National, Regional, and State activities. Erin has held several leadership roles and offices within and outside the field. She serves on the University of Missouri Griffiths Leadership Society, is on the Board of Directors for the Ashby Hodge Gallery of American Art, and is a Panelist Reviewer for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). 

Nominator Linda Helmick, Assistant Professor of Art Education in the Department of Learning, Teaching & Curriculum, noted “Erin exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding artist, researcher and teacher. She models through action, a continuous passion for learning and tireless desire to give back to the community. She inspires greatness in all of us. In her I see all the qualities I hope to nurture in all students. Her tireless devotion seamlessly interwoven with her love of students and tireless service to the University community are the qualities of a noteworthy student leader and a lifelong learner.”

According to Amber Ward, Assistant Professor of Art Education at Florida State University, “Erin has presented and co-presented numerous papers at national and state art education conferences on topics like inquiry, introspection, and identity. These research topics reflect Erin’s commitment to community service, as do her interactions with colleagues. I speak from experience when I say that Erin has a gift for lifting up others through an ethos of genuine care and curiosity.”