Heather Shirey

Heather Shirey is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Art History at the University of St. Thomas, College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a PhD from Indiana University, an MA from Tulane University, and a BA from the University of Iowa. Her research focuses on the arts of the African Diaspora, street art, and the history of photography, emphasizing race, identity, migrations, and museum-community interactions.

Shirey co-directs the Urban Art Mapping Research Project, documenting global street art responses to crises like the 2020 Uprisings and the pandemic. Her work bridges art history with social justice, exploring how public art reflects and shapes community narratives. Recent projects include analyzing pandemic-related street art and anti-racist murals following George Floyd’s murder.

Her publications span interdisciplinary journals like Journal of Folklore Research and Nuart Journal, addressing topics such as global street art archiving and the intersection of art and gentrification. Awards include National Endowment for the Arts grants and a Fulbright-Terra Fellowship.

• Research Highlights: Urban protest art, African Diaspora visual culture, photography’s role in cross-cultural exchange
• Teaching: Courses include History of Street Art and Public History and Power, emphasizing critical engagement with marginalized voices

Shirey’s work has been showcased at institutions like Harvard University and Tsinghua University, and she regularly collaborates with international scholars and community archives to promote inclusive art preservation.