Erik Holmgren

 

Erik Holmgren, Ed.D. Senior Director, Strategy & Partnerships, Mass Cultural Council

Dr. Erik Holmgren is a cross-sector strategist, researcher, and cultural leader who has spent more than a decade advancing the role of arts and culture as a catalyst for innovation, economic opportunity, and community impact across the Commonwealth.

At Mass Cultural Council, Erik leads the Agency’s efforts to expand the reach and impact of the cultural sector through sustainable partnerships across various economic sectors. His work is grounded in the belief that the long-term sustainability of the arts depends not only on public and private investment, but on demonstrating and expanding the value that arts and culture bring to the broader economy and to communities.

Since joining the Council in 2013, Erik has developed and advanced partnerships that connect the cultural sector with healthcare, substance use prevention and recovery, economic and workforce development, and housing. He co-led the Agency’s groundbreaking work in social prescribing, helping establish arts experiences as a recognized component of community-based approaches to health and well-being. His work reflects a broader commitment to identifying places where the expertise, creativity, and infrastructure of the cultural sector can address challenges and create new opportunities well beyond the traditional arts ecosystem.

Prior to joining Mass Cultural Council, Erik served as Vice President of Research and Development for an education technology startup and held faculty positions at the University of Maryland and Columbia University, as well as an administrative leadership role at New England Conservatory. His career bridges research, higher education, entrepreneurship, arts administration, and professional music performance.

Erik holds five degrees, including three master’s degrees and a doctorate from Columbia University, as well as a Professional Certificate in Strategy from the Wharton School of Business. He has served as a guest lecturer at more than a dozen universities and was the founding editor of the Journal of Research in Music Performance. His research and writing have appeared in magazines, peer-reviewed academic journals, and a recent chapter published by Routledge.

An active concert saxophonist, Erik’s performance credits range from the Baltimore Symphony to the United States Military Academy Band at West Point. His career reflects the same intersection of scholarship, creativity, and innovation that defines his work at Mass Cultural Council: connecting the power of culture with the people, institutions, and sectors that can help it achieve greater impact.

Photo Credit: Cexar Media.