Monica Lynn Manoski is the Executive Director of the Essex Art Center (EAC) in Lawrence, MA. She joined the team in January 2021, immediately launching several community-focused initiatives. Under her direction, EAC is working to serve the residents of Lawrence more fully while becoming an incubator and launch pad for the region's diverse pool of talented artists. Monica has spent her career creating access to art and educational opportunities. Before joining EAC, she worked as an educator and fundraiser for several non-profit organizations, including Teach For America in Chicago and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Monica currently lives in Boston and is moving to Lawrence this summer with her husband, TJ. Monica is a certified Master Reiki practitioner and enjoys doing yoga, writing poetry, and spending time with family. Her first collection of poetry—sisters in this ritual—was published in 2020.

Monica earned a BFA in Drawing and Painting from Arizona State University (2010), an MFA in Studio Art from Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (2013), and an MSEd in Early Childhood Education from Dominican University (2016).