The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art opened its doors in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 2002 with a bold but simple vision—to promote picture-book illustration, as an art form, around the world. During its first 20 years, the Museum has been a tireless champion for picture book art, amassing a world-class collection of more than 9,000 original illustrations. Its traveling exhibitions reach more than half a million museum visitors around the globe each year. Innovative education programs focus on the joys of art and books for school children, families, children’s book creators, and educators. Through their vision and generosity, the Museum's co-founders, the late Eric Carle and Barbara Carle, made a commitment to the future of illustrated children’s literature. An engaged national board of trustees made up of publishers, scholars, educators, artists, and philanthropists ensures that The Carle continues to be relevant, forward-thinking, and financially sustainable. Both as an institution and as a team of museum professionals, The Carle is committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. We bring those values to our exhibitions, programs, partnerships, and organizational culture.
