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As part of the XV Florence Biennale's public programme, Alejandra Castro Rioseco — a prominent art collector and the founder and executive director of Mia Art Collection — will deliver a special talk titled Women Artists Between Light and Darkness, on October 25 at 6:30 P.M. at the theatre area of the Spadolini Pavilion, Fortezza da Basso. In this presentation, she will share personal insights and discoveries from a lifetime of engaging with works by women artists — many of whom have long remained in the shadows of art history. From forgotten pioneers to emerging contemporary voices, this talk explores how women have created powerful work from the margins, and how collectors, curators, and institutions are now rethinking their place in the spotlight. A rare glimpse into the intersection of passion, advocacy, and an evolving art market.

"Change the role of a woman and change the world"

Alejandra Castro Rioseco, a civil engineering graduate, has dedicated the past 15 years to philanthropy. Her work is driven by three core pillars: gender empowerment and rights, education, and the intersection of art and technology.

Mia Art Collection is a non-profit organisation focused on improving visibility of women artists around the world and based in Dubai, UAE and in Europe in Antwerp, Belgium and Madrid, Spain. The collection is recognised for its emblematic leadership to support women artists, with artists from over 33 countries and more than 900 artworks. Alejandra’s commitment to build towards a better and more harmonious and balanced society is expressed through her active engagement with organisations protecting the environment, promoting gender equality, and promoting music as part of basic children education. She served as first South American woman on the Board of the worldwide International Chopin Society Federation headquartered in Warsaw, Poland. In 2020, she integrated the Middle East Guggenheim art acquisition committee.

She is the founder of the project Exiled for the Arts, NYC in 2017. She serves on the Board of the prestigious International Jose Limon ballet, with a mission towards education of children and youngsters through dance in the world. She founded in 2018 the Mia Art Collection Virtual Museum, a technological platform for promoting women artists and access to their works during the Covid pandemic, with as stepping stone was her personal art collection of exclusively contemporary women artists. She founded the Mujer Opina Foundation in Chile to promote and educate on women development and empowerment. Alejandra was an active participant in the establishment of the Gender Equality Roundtable in the Chilean Senate. She served on the boards of El Museo del Barrio and the Guggenheim Museum in New York City.

"Mia Art Collection: A Global Platform for Women Artists"

The feminist look of Alejandra Castro Rioseco, philanthropist and private collector, has motivated her to create a unique collection that expresses the view of the women artist, bearing in mind the discrimination and gender rights inequalities women are still confronted with. The collection truly of women, created by women, seeks to create visibility of women and their work in the world through various art projects. Mia Art Collection builds on a multidisciplinary team and global network to support participation in museums, art fairs, amongst others.

The Mia Art Collection actively supports and participates in exhibitions that highlight women artists and explore their roles within the art world. The Mia project also promotes education through a range of initiatives, including private and public seminars, workshops, and exhibitions on a global scale.

https://miaartcollection.org/