Laura Holzman is Professor of Art History and Museum Studies at Indiana University Indianapolis, where she is also Public Scholar of Curatorial Practices and Visual Art . As an engaged art historian, her work is dedicated to activating art, its history, and its institutions to strengthen communities, expand democratic discourse, and build a more equitable world. At IU, Laura teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on topics such as public art, curatorial practice, museum history and theory, and urban visual culture. She is the author of Contested Image: Defining Philadelphia for the Twenty-First Century (Temple University Press, 2019), which analyzes public discourse, historical art, and the struggle to shape Philadelphia's reputation during an important moment of change in the city. Her writing has also appeared in edited volumes, academic journals, and the popular press. She regularly collaborates with arts administrators, students, and other community members to develop exhibitions, artwork, and public programs.