Gianna Riccardi: Coral Gables Museum

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS, CORAL GABLES MUSEUM

Besides handling programming at Coral Gables Museum, Gianna Riccardi is also a certified art therapist, with a master’s degree in art psychotherapy from Goldsmith’s University of London. As part of the museum’s programming, Riccardi runs “Art for Healing,” a therapeutic initiative designed to support mental health through the power of art. The program has already established partnerships with local organizations like Seeds of Hope, a group of Ukranian refugees, and Doctors Hospital, where it supports front-line medical staff. Riccardi is working on expanding the program to general community and corporate settings, hoping to reach all members of the City Beautiful. She names stress relief, dexterity, and connection with the self as some of the main benefits of her workshops, which are each tailored to the individuals in attendance.

“ART IS ALL AROUND US, FROM THE OUTFIT WE CHOOSE TO THE COLOR OF OUR PHONE CASE. I JUST WANT TO TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER TO SHOW YOU THAT YOU CAN USE THIS TO BETTER YOUR OWN WELLNESS… ”

LATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT

Besides the expansion of Art for Healing, Riccardi was also recently honored as a Thirty Under 30 member by The Learning Guild, a global organization that promotes organizational learning – the first museum education professional to have been so recognized over the last 15 years. “My inclusion in this cohort marks a significant moment for museum education, highlighting the role that museums play in public learning and community engagement,” she says. The young director also runs an Instagram page (@art.inthe.know) where she highlights museum education programming around the world, categorizing them by themes like kid-friendly, wellness, and nature.

WHAT SHE SAYS

“My goal is to bring art and wellness to our community in an accessible way because wellness should not be a luxurious thing,” says Riccardi. “A lot of people don’t realize that art is all around us, from the outfit we choose to the color of our phone case. Everything has design. I just want to take it a step further to show you that you can use this to better your own wellness…. We all go to the doctor’s for checkups every year; we should do the same for our mental health.”


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