Lauren is a white woman with shoulder length blond hair. She is wearing a black shirt and large earings.

Lauren Stichter (she/her) is an artist, educator, professional development coordinator, and advocate for equitable and accessible art education. With over 25 years of experience, including work at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, she now serves as Director and Associate Professor of Art Education at Moore College of Art & Design. In 2024 and 2025, Lauren was recognized with multiple awards for her impact on the field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Director & Associate Professor of Art Education, Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia (2015-Present)

  • Lead PreK-12 Art Teacher, Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, Philadelphia (2001-2015)

  • Ceramic Artist, HyMy Pottery, Philadelphia (1995-Present)

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Trauma-Informed Arts Education Administrator, Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation (2024-Present)

  • Pennsylvania Art Education PreK-12 (2005-Present)

  • American Sign Language (1998-Present)

  • A black hand carved round lantern on a white table.

    Art Work

    With over 25 years of experience as a potter, Lauren is renowned for her intricately hand-carved vessels. Her work has been featured in galleries, boutiques, and artisan events throughout the Philadelphia region.

    Recent highlights include a commissioned piece for the 1906 Restaurant at Longwood Gardens (2024), custom place settings for Philadelphia’s supper club Club Table One, and participation in the Moore College of Art & Design Faculty Triennial Exhibitions (2020, 2023).

  • Lauren is standing at a podium on a stage.

    Leadership

    Since 2015, Lauren has held significant roles in regional and national art education and special education organizations. She is currently the President of the NAEA Art in Special Education Interest Group, a Member and Site Coordinator of the Philadelphia Art Teacher Alliance, and the Administration and Supervision Chair of the PAEA Board. Previously, she was a Board Member for the CEC Division of the Arts, Chair of the PAEA Art in Special Education, and served on advisory boards for the Philadelphia Museum of Art Autism Initiative and the Brandywine Museum Sensory-Friendly Programming.

  • Lauren is pictured with a group of Disabled Artists & Graduate Students.

    Teaching Experience

    With over two decades of teaching experience, Lauren is a distinguished Art Educator dedicated to fostering creativity, inclusivity, and accessibility. She has developed curriculum for PreK-12th grade at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and worked extensively in community arts settings. Currently, as Director of Art Education and Associate Professor at Moore College of Art and Design, she leads initiatives that merge art and special education, advancing global conversations on diversity and inclusion.

  • Lauren is standing in a classroom speaking to fellow art teachers.

    Professional Development Facilitator

    Lauren is an accomplished Art Educator and consultant specializing in inclusive arts education across PreK–12 schools, higher education, museums, and community arts. She has partnered with major school districts as well as leading institutions, including the National Gallery, Kennedy Center VSA Program, Barnes Foundation, and Philadelphia Museum of Art, to design curricula and teaching methods that support diverse learners. With more than 70 national and international speaking engagements, Lauren shares her expertise with educators and cultural leaders to advance inclusive arts education globally.

  • Stock photo from SquareSpace of hands typing on a laptop.

    Published Work

    Stichter, L. (2020-2024). Regular contributor to the National Art Education Association, Art in Special Education interest group news column.

    Kalio-Tavin, M., & Stichter, L.. (2020). Organizing the 2nd International Disability Studies, Arts and Education Conference and Looking to the Future. Research in Arts Education.

    Stichter, L. & Newman-Godfrey, A. (2017). Creative Arts Education for Students with ASD. Curricula for Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum.

  • Lauren (right) standing with Adding Voices Conference founder Flavia Zuniga-West (center) and President of Moore College of Art & Design Cathy Young (left) at the 2022 Adding Voices Conference.

    Events Administrator

    Lauren has organized over 15 impactful public events over nearly a decade, drawing thousands of art educators from around the world. Notable events include several annual professional development symposiums on DEIAJ work in Art Education at Moore College, as well as hosting significant conferences such as the PA Art Education Association conferences (2016, 2021), the 2nd International Conference on Disability Studies Arts & Education (2019), and the Adding Voices Conference (2022, 2024).

  • Clear Start Award

    Awards

    The 2025 National Art Education Association (NAEA) Eastern Region Art Educator of the Year Award

    The 2024 Pennsylvania Art Education Association (PAEA) Outstanding Art Educator of the Year Award

    The 2024 Pennsylvania Art Education Association (PAEA) Art in Special Education Award

    The 2024 Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Art Educator of the Year Award