I study the role of arts organizations in contemporary public and civic life. I am especially interested in how that role is changing, how the arts interact with local communities, and the strategies these organizations use to navigate challenging and shifting expectations.

My research explores early childhood and intergenerational art education, community-based, museum and out-of-school art education, postdevelopmental and critical childhood studies, digital media and visual culture in childhood, and motherscholarship and feminist pedagogies.

Dr. Garcia’s research applies Chicana Feminist Epistemologies (knowledges and experiences) including Borderlands theories to art making and teaching.