Anastasia Sotnikova is a doctoral student in Arts Administration, Education, and Policy at The Ohio State University, where she focuses on Museum Education. With a background in marketing communications, she brings both strategic thinking and creativity to her work at the intersection of art, education, and community engagement. She is especially interested in how art can bring people together—her research explores ways to foster dialogue among artists, institutions, and diverse communities while creating more inclusive and meaningful experiences. Drawing on queer, feminist, and participatory approaches, she works to expand access to the arts and deepen how audiences connect with them.
“I am so excited to join the Ohio Feminist Art Museum (OFAM) this summer! This is an amazing opportunity to support Ohio’s feminist cultural heritage, build inclusive and empowering programming for diverse communities, and develop meaningful collaborations with local artists and organizations. I’m looking forward to learning from and working alongside such an inspiring group of people,” she says.
Born and raised in Russia, Anastasia moved to the United States following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—a moment that deeply reshaped her path. “Unable to stop the war, I still believe I can contribute to meaningful human connections through art and with one another,” she reflects. This belief continues to guide her work, which centers on creating spaces for empathy, dialogue, and shared understanding.
Alongside her doctoral studies, Anastasia works as a Graduate Teaching Associate and has facilitated arts-based programs for youth at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. Before entering academia, she spent over a decade in communications, leading campaigns for global companies such as Unilever, KIA, Bayer, and PepsiCo. Today, she combines that experience with her academic work to support research, teaching, and community-driven arts initiatives.