Erie Art Company

The Erie Art Company is a public charity based in Erie, Pennsylvania, dedicated to advancing arts, culture, and humanities through large-scale programming, public installations, and strategic community partnerships. Directed by Brad Ford, with key involvement from Margo Wolfe, the organization frequently collaborates with local creative hubs like PACA - Performing Artists Collective Alliance to foster the city's artistic ecosystem.

The company's operations focus heavily on community engagement and digital arts integration. Major initiatives include:

• FEED Media Art Center Collaborations: The company works closely with FEED Media Art Center to support the Erie Downtown ARTs District. Recently, the two organizations secured a $100,000 Anchor Building Grant to install a 100-foot public digital facade. They are also developing the Erie Community Arts and Technology Broadcast Series, a year-long initiative showcasing local musical and contemporary dance talent.

• Lake Erie Literary Festival: The Erie Art Company organizes this major community event at Frontier Park in partnership with Werner Books and the Friends of the Library. Supported by an $8,000 grant from the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority for the upcoming 2026 season, the festival features regional authors, writing workshops, and book giveaways. A strategic leadership transition is currently underway to hand off day-of operations for the 2026 event.

• Immersive Exhibitions: The organization co-produces experimental, conceptual installations. A recent example is the Narcissus environment at the Erie Art Museum, which explored themes of digital identity, distortion, and self-reflection in the age of the selfie.

By securing steady grant funding and acting as a central node for local artists and institutions, the Erie Art Company functions as an operational and structural backbone for the regional arts community.