Hello, I’m Courtney Cardini — a dyslexic, ADHD-fueled traveler with a passion for art, history, and adventure. I’m an artist, independent curator, and travel blogger of www.courttheworld.com, blending creativity and curiosity wherever I go.
I graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies with minors in History and International Studies. My journey truly began in Florence, Italy, where I studied abroad at Palazzo Rucellai and fell in love with Italian art and culture. Since then, I’ve held a range of museum roles — starting as a registrar assistant at the Palmer Museum of Art and later working across cultural institutions around the world.
I completed graduate coursework in Arts Management at the American University of Rome and later served as Program Coordinator at the European Cultural Academy in Venice. Most recently, I worked as the Global Gallery Manager aboard the National Geographic Resolution, where I managed the onboard gallery, coordinated art sales from the Lindblad Artist Fund, and curated travel merchandise for guests exploring some of the world’s most remote destinations.
Now, I’m refocusing on my museum career and writing my first book — a travel memoir that intertwines art, exploration, and neurodivergent storytelling. I’m passionate about building a global community of artists and advocating for a better understanding of learning differences. One of the biggest issues girls face today is the misconception of what a learning disability truly is. As a young girl, I was told that because of my dyslexia and ADHD, I’d never travel or make it out of my hometown. It wasn’t until I took my education into my own hands that I began to see my learning differences as a strength — one that has helped me design my dream life and career.
When I’m not writing or curating, you’ll fi nd me working out, creating new artworks, or exploring a new museum in whatever country I fi nd myself in. My dream job is to one day curate at the Venice Biennale.
-Courtney Cardini
Junior Girl, Curatorial
Girl Museum