WONDER: Art + Healing Symposium
Wonder is alive in museums as a powerful undercurrent of artistic expression, discovery, and meaningful connection. How can this powerful force transform the arts into a vehicle for health and healing?
The 2025 Wonder Symposium will dive deep into wonder as the connective tissue between the arts and healing. We will explore the potential of the arts to inspire wonder, which in turn, promotes healing. Through thought-provoking presentations and inspiring activities and experiences, this symposium will explore the arts as agents of wonder and the role that wonder can play in emotional, mental, and physical healing.
May 14-16, 2025
$100| Members save 10%
The full symposium ticket includes active attendance at all sessions Wednesday, May 14-Friday, May 16. In addition to both keynote sessions, full symposium ticket holders are invited to attend Ringling WONDERground on Thursday evening, and a Closing Reception on Friday.
Register for the Full SymposiumPresenters
Presenters
Please note: Keynotes are included in full Symposium Registration or may be purchased individually below
Keynote
Dacher Keltner, Ph.D.
Co-Director of the Greater Good Science Center
Thursday, May 14 @ 6:00 PM
Historic Asolo Theater
Thursday, May 14 @ 6:00 PM
Historic Asolo Theater
Keynote
Jennifer Kuo, MPH, CHES®
California for the Arts
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Social Prescribing USA
Thursday, May 15 @ 6:00 PM
Historic Asolo Theater
+
Social Prescribing USA
Thursday, May 15 @ 6:00 PM
Historic Asolo Theater
Wonder Presenters
This gathering will bring together dozens of unique voices from academic and artistic communities around the globe in a multi-faceted exploration of wonder.
Meet the Presenters
Schedule at a Glance
Wednesday, May 14
6:00 PM | Keynote Lecture with Dacher Keltner, Ph.D. | Historic Asolo Theater
Thursday, May 15
10:30 AM | Optional Meet & Greet | Tibbals Learning Center
1:00 PM | Carnival of Wonder | Bolger Campiello
6:00 PM | Keynote Lecture with Jennifer Kuo, MPH, CHES® | Historic Asolo Theater
7:00 PM | Ringling WONDERground | Museum of Art Courtyard
Friday, May 16
8:30 AM | Morning Gathering | John M. McKay Visitor Pavilion
9:00 AM | Welcome to Wonder | Chao Lecture Hall
9:30 AM | Wonder, Well-Being, and Community | Chao Lecture Hall
10:45 AM | Wonder Works | MakerSpace / Gallery 19
12:00 PM | Lunch | Bolger Campiello
1:30 PM | Identity and Belonging | Chao Lecture Hall
2:30 PM | Wonder in Museum Spaces | Chao Lecture Hall / Galleries
5:30 PM | Closing Reception | Center for Asian Art, First Floor.
Local Resources
Find everything you need for a WONDERFUL visit to Sarasota and The Ringling!
Related Activities
The following events are open to the public and may be purchased individually. Tickets are required, space is limited.
Carnival of Wonder
Thu, May 15 @ 1:00 PM-4:30 PM
Come one, come all and explore the Carnival of Wonder! This interactive celebration of wonder will include inspiring presentations, engaging booths, live music, and of course, the wonder of carnival foods and games.
Learn more
Keynote Lecture with Dacher Keltner, Ph.D.
Wed, May 14 @ 6:00 PM
Join Dacher Keltner, Professor of Psychology at UC-Berkeley and Co-Director of the Greater Good Science Center for the first keynote of the Wonder: Art + Healing Symposium.
$25 | Members $22
Learn More
Keynote Lecture with Jennifer Kuo, MPH, CHES®
Thu, May 15 @ 6:00 PM
Please join Jennifer Kuo, MPH, CHES® from California for the Arts and Social Prescribing USA for this Keynote Lecture, followed by Ringling WONDERground in the Museum of Art Courtyard.
$25 | Members $22
Learn More
Ringling WONDERground
Thu, May 15 @ 7:00 PM
Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime WONDERground at The Ringling! The Museum of Art Courtyard will be transformed into a wonder-filled playground, pairing the wonders of art, architecture, warm summer nights, and live contemporary music.
Learn more
WONDERful Merch
Be sure to drop by the Museum Store located inside the Visitors Pavilion for all of the great WONDER products available. The Museum Store is open during regular museum hours. Museum Admission is not required to visit the store.
PAST WONDER SYMPOSIA
PAST WONDER SYMPOSIA
2024 Symposia
The WONDER: Human Experience and the Arts symposium took place June 6-9, 2024. This interdisciplinary symposium explored wonder as a source of creative inspiration, artistic medium, and physical and social well-being.
2024 Wonder Symposium