Erika Piola

Erika Piola serves as the Director of the Visual Culture Program at the Library Company of Philadelphia, a position held since September 1997. The Visual Culture Program promotes visual literacy and the use of historical images as primary sources, facilitating research and interpretation through various initiatives including conferences, exhibitions, and fellowships. Notable projects under Erika Piola's direction include the curation of "Imperfect History: Curating the Graphics Art Collection at Benjamin Franklin’s Public Library" and the organization of the symposium "William Birch and the Complexities of American Visual Culture." Prior roles at the Library Company include Curator of Graphic Arts and Associate Curator, contributing to the management of extensive collections and the promotion of the Library's resources through research and professional publications. Erika Piola holds an MA in History from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in History from Haverford College.