Lilia Garcia
A transformative leader, Lilia Garcia is a multi-faceted arts administrator, curator, teacher and arts education advocate. The embodiment of love and passion for incorporating the arts in education, Lilia started Miami-Dade County Public School’s first talent-magnet program, the Center for the Expressive Arts, as part of her 35-year illustrious career in the school system. That innovative curriculum paved the way for more than 30 nationally recognized magnet schools in Miami-Dade County, including the New World School of the Arts and Design and Architecture Senior High School (DASH). Under her outstanding leadership, the district-wide arts programs were recognized by the President’s Committee in the Arts, the Kennedy Foundation and the National Urban Partner’s Program in
Education. As Administrative Director for the Miami-Dade County Public School System’s Department of Life Skills and Special Projects, Lilia oversaw the expansion of the magnet programs, creating access to the arts for children and youth. Her many awards include the 2025 Arsht Education Champion Award; the Pioneer Award, “In the Company of Women”; and The Champion for Children Award given by The Children's Trust. A Board member of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival for over 25 years, Lilia serves as a long-standing member of Miami Children's Museum and as Director and Curator of Gallery@CGAF. As CEO of Lilia Garcia and Associates, she assists cultural nonprofits in reaching their business goals.