BiographY
Erika Knecht is an independent curator and arts professional whose practice centers on contemporary Native American art, with a focus on community-driven projects, cross-cultural collaboration, and Indigenous self-representation. Born and raised in Germany, Knecht relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to study at the Institute of American Indian Arts and has been based there since 2018.
She has contributed to numerous exhibitions across museums, galleries, and nonprofit organizations in the United States and Europe, including as Assistant Curator at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts and galleries across New Mexico. Internationally, she has worked with Rainmaker Gallery in Bristol, UK, and curated exhibitions in partnership with Indigenous: The North America Film Festival in Stuttgart, Germany.
Knecht holds an M.A. in Art History from the University of Cologne, Germany, and studied Native American Art History and Museum Studies at the Institute of American Indian Arts.
Curatorial Approach
“As a curator, I create platforms that empower contemporary Native artists to share their voices and tell their own stories. Rooted in Indigenous curatorial approaches and shaped by my time at the Institute of American Indian Arts, my practice is grounded in collaboration and long-term dialogue with artists.”