About tosca
Art Lecturer & Curator of Cultural Experiences
Art with Tosca was founded in 2021 by Tosca Ruggieri, a French-Italian art historian and licensed professional tour guide based in Washington, D.C. She is a member of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, D.C., and also serves as a study-leader and lecturer for the Smithsonian Associates as well as other D.C.-based organizations, including the Alliance Française of Washington, D.C..
Growing up surrounded by the artistic treasures of Northeastern France and Tuscany, Tosca developed a deep appreciation for art from an early age. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History in Paris, followed by a Master’s in Art & Archaeology from EPHE-Sorbonne and a Master’s in Arts & Cultural Management from King’s College London.
Her career began in the exclusive world of private art collections, where she honed her expertise in curating and connoisseurship. She later worked in prestigious galleries across London and taught art history at a French university before bringing her passion for storytelling and artistic interpretation to a wider audience.
Now based in Washington, D.C., Tosca designs and leads expertly curated tours at the National Gallery of Art, the Phillips Collection, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and other cultural institutions. Her tours offer a compelling journey through art history, spanning from the Italian Renaissance to Modern art.
Through Art with Tosca, she is dedicated to making art accessible, engaging, and thought-provoking. Whether through immersive museum tours or dynamic virtual and in-person lectures, Tosca’s mission is to connect audiences with the rich narratives and cultural significance behind the world’s most celebrated works of art.
Meet juliana biondo
Decoding the Isms: 20th-Century Art Movements Explained
In 2025, Art with Tosca welcomed Juliana Biondo as a partner to expand its offerings with dedicated modern art tours in the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art.
With a visual artist for a grandmother and an opera singer for a mother, Juliana was consistently exposed to the arts as a young child. Her love for the arts stayed with her throughout her adult life. Juliana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from Yale University. She then earned her Masters degree in 20th-century European Art from the Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London. Throughout her time in London, she expanded her love of art through positions with private art dealers and auction houses.
After her studies, Juliana began her career in Italy. She served as a curatorial project manager and tour guide for the Vatican Museums. While at the Vatican Museums, she had the pleasure of giving tours to celebrities, dignitaries, and global corporate executives of some of the world’s largest visual treasures. One of her biggest joys during this time was finding creative ways to connect the timeless collection of the Vatican collection to the audience of the moment.
Keeping her passion for all things cultural and global Juliana returned to New York where she worked for an audio guide company before moving to the World Bank in Washington, DC. There, she was the assistant curator for their Art Program and organized exhibitions featuring emerging global contemporary artists – from Mongolia to Turkey, Indonesia to Peru – on international development themes.
Juliana loves igniting moments of wonder and curiosity through art. She is a watercolorist herself and is based in Washington, DC with her husband.
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FAQ
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If you haven’t found the answer to your question, I invite you to explore the FAQ section, where you’ll find commonly asked questions along with helpful tips for planning your stay in Washington, D.C.
You’re also very welcome to reach out directly—I’m always happy to assist and help you make the most of your visit.
The National Gallery of Art is the third most visited museum in the USA, so it can be busy at any time. However, here are some tips to help you enjoy a more peaceful visit:
- Avoid Saturdays and Long Weekends: These times tend to be busier, especially during national holidays.
- Visit on Weekdays: Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends.
- Arrive Early: Visiting right when the museum opens at 10am allows you to enjoy the exhibits with fewer people around and a serene atmosphere.
- Check for Special Events: Be aware of special exhibitions or events that might draw larger crowds and plan accordingly.
Following these tips can help you have a more enjoyable and relaxed experience at the National Gallery of Art.
Private Tours
- Exclusive Attention: Your guide is dedicated solely to you, whether you’re a couple, a family, or with friends.
- Customizable Group Composition: Organize a private group tour with your family, friends, school class, association members, or company employees. You define the group’s composition.
- Personalized Experience: Choose the date, timing, and specific focus of the tour to suit your interests.
Small Group Tours
- Pre-Scheduled: Follow a predetermined schedule set in advance and published, such as on our website.
- Mixed Participants: Join other individual travelers at a common meeting point. You won’t know the other participants beforehand.
- Standard Experience: The guide follows a set itinerary, providing a comprehensive tour experience for all participants.
For a more intimate and engaging experience, we limit our small group tours to a maximum of 10 participants. This ensures that everyone has the opportunity to ask questions, interact with the guide, and fully appreciate the artworks without feeling crowded. Additionally, smaller groups allow us to be mindful of other visitors in the museum, ensuring a pleasant experience for all. Whether you’re traveling solo or with a few friends, joining a small group tour offers a personalized and enriching exploration of the museum.
We can usually accommodate Private Tours for up to 15 people. This number can go up to 30 people for corporate events.
It depends on the type of tour you wish to attend. Our Small Group Tours are priced per person and our Private Tours are priced per tour depending on the number of guests.
If your group is larger than 5 people, get in touch for a quote!
To secure your preferred tour date, I highly recommend booking as early as possible. My schedule fills up quickly,especially during peak seasons like cherry blossom season (around March) and the holiday period from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. Ideally, aim to book at least one month in advance.
However, if you’re looking for a tour in the next few days, don’t hesitate to inquire! While my availability may be limited,I’ll do my absolute best to accommodate your request and provide you with a memorable guided tour.
Private guided tours are an excellent option for corporate meetings and team-building events. With my extensive experience leading tours for esteemed groups such as BCG, top law firms, tech giants like Google, and other consulting groups, I offer unique, engaging, and educational experiences that foster teamwork and inspiration. These tailored tours provide a refreshing break from the office, allowing teams to bond over shared interests in art and culture while gaining new perspectives and insights. Enhance your corporate event with a memorable museum tour that combines learning, networking, and enjoyment in a culturally rich setting.
Contact me today to discuss your team’s needs and create a customized experience that will leave a lasting impression!
At Art With Tosca, I specialize in tours focused on Fine Arts and Decorative Arts. While my expertise lies in these areas, I would be delighted to recommend fellow tour guides in D.C. who specialize in tours of the monuments and American history. Feel free to reach out, and I’ll point you in the right direction for an exceptional historical tour experience.
Most tours are between 2 to 2.5 hours, although can be longer depending upon what we decide best meets your individual needs. All tour durations are estimates and will vary depending on the museum, the walking pace of the group, snack & restroom stops, photo ops, etc.
Yes, I am a licensed Washington, D.C. Tour Guide and a member of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, D.C.
Absolutely! Our tours are designed to be engaging and enjoyable for visitors of all ages. As a seasoned art historian and museum educator, I tailor each tour to ensure that children and adults alike can appreciate and learn from the artworks. Through interactive storytelling, hands-on activities, and age-appropriate explanations, I make the art come alive for young minds while also providing deep insights for adults. Families will find our tours to be a delightful and enriching way to explore the museums together, creating lasting memories and sparking a lifelong interest in art and culture.
