Top 8 Must-See Art Museums in Miami
The art and culture of Greater Miami and its beaches are an eclectic blend of contemporary art, seascapes and nature art, and a rich Afro-Cuban influence that brings color and vibrancy to it all. In public parks and buildings there are over 700 works of stunning talent and elegant grace. Miami art museums are internationally recognized and praised for their variety. Here are 8 art museums in Miami that you must visit.
1. Pérez Art Museum Miami
The PAMM is much more than just a building that holds a collection of art, it is a reflection of its community. The Pérez Art Museum Miami was the first of the art museums in Miami to embrace modern and contemporary art. The exhibits continually change as the diverse culture of Miami evolves.
PAMM is a vibrant part of the community, offering not only the opportunity to view fine art, dance, and musical exhibitions, but also educational programs such as:
- After school programming for teens
- A Baby and Me Tour
- Providing a Family Guide for fun and activities
- Interactive hands-on exhibits
Visitor Information
PAMM is open Monday-Tuesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., CLOSED Wednesday, Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and Friday-Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. General admission to the museum is $16 for adults and $12 for seniors, students, and youth. Every second Saturday and first Thursday of the month, admission is free for everyone. Self-parking is available to guests, $8 for the first hour and $4 for each additional hour (maximum $40 for the day), or patrons can choose to park in a nearby public lot.
Address: 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
2. The Bass Museum of Art
Another of phenomenal Miami art museum is The Bass Museum of Art. Also highlighting the diverse culture of Miami through contemporary art, The Bass has temporary exhibits from around the world as well as a portion of the original Bass collection.
This art museum in Miami has a major focus on education, offering special programs that teach young children about creativity and personal growth through art.
Visitor Information
The Bass Museum of Art is open Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., CLOSED Monday-Tuesday. General admission to the museum is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors, students, and youth, and FREE to members, Miami/Dade & City of Miami Beach employees, children 12 & younger, active-duty and retired military personnel, as well as the last Sunday of each month, April-June.
Address: 2100 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
3. Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
Located in North Miami, MOCA was founded in 1981 in an effort to bring contemporary art to an underserved population. This art museum in Miami blends the works of newly discovered artists with the beauty and history of the masters. MOCA has 8-10 exhibits throughout the year, and approximately 600 permanent works.
Visitor Information
MOCA is open Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., CLOSED Monday. General admission is $10, $3 for students and seniors, and free for children under 12, MOCA members, North Miami residents, veterans, and city employees. Open by “pay as you wish” on the last Friday of each month for “Jazz at MOCA.” Free parking is offered to the east, west and south sides of the museum.
Address: 770 NE 125th St, North Miami, FL 33161
4. Lowe Art Museum
This Miami art museum is a centerpiece of the University of Miami, and is home to a variety of Native American, ancient Egyptian, Renaissance and Baroque, Asian, and European originals. The Lowe is the oldest art museum in Miami, which originally opened in 1950 as an art display across the classrooms in the building. Originally established through a gift by Joe and Emily Lowe, this stunning 17,500-piece collection includes paintings from Claude Monet, African sculptures from 500 BCE, Asian costumes, medieval manuscripts, and The Samuel H. Kress collection.
Visitor Information
The Lowe Art Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sundays from 12 p.m.- 4 p.m. The cost of general admission for anyone over the age of 12 is $12.50, while students and seniors are admitted for $8. Children under 12, Lowe members, UM students/staff, and military personnel can visit the museum for free.
Address: 1301 Stanford Dr, Coral Gables, FL 33146
5. Gary Nader Art Centre
Named for Dominican art expert Gary Nader, the Art Centre has been promoting Latin American artwork since 1985. It is the biggest private gallery in the world at 55,000 square feet of exhibitions, which include Nader’s private collection, Sculpture Park, and the Exhibition Gallery.
Presentations at this Miami art museum have included the works of:
- Botero
- Warhol
- Goldfarb
- Lichtenstein
- Manet
- Matisse
- Monet
- Torres Garcia
- Picasso
Visitor Information
The Gary Nader Art Centre is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free for everyone.
Address: 62 NE 27th St, Miami, FL 33137
6. Wynwood Walls and Wynwood Art Walk
One of the most vibrant Miami art museums is not in a building. In 2009, the warehouse district of Wynwood was revamped, and street artists were encouraged to display their talents. Today the Wynwood Walls and Wynwood Art Walk virtually sing where more than 50 artists from 16 countries have created murals on over 80,000 square feet. The Wynwood Art Walk is also home to more than 60 art galleries, and on the second Saturday of each month the experience is amplified by live music, food trucks, and local restaurants.
Visitor Information
If you are interested in guided tours of the Wynwood Art District, there are a few options at different price points, either by foot or cart. When exploring the art walk on your own, the prime area for viewing is between 20th Street and 36th Street, from NW 2nd Avenue to NE 2nd Avenue. Parking on the street is easiest before 7 p.m., but the best time to walk Wynwood is between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.
7. Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami
ICA Miami is a newcomer to the world of Miami art museums, hitting the contemporary art scene in 2014. In addition to its permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, mixed media, photography, and video, the ICA Miami emphasis on education manifests itself in:
- ICA Ideas: Provides greater meaning to the exhibits on display at the museum while promoting creativity and interaction outside of presentations.
- ICA Speaks: Features artists from the museum’s permanent collection of works and encourages exchanging art and ideas.
- ICA Performs: Allows performance artists to debut original works and cultivates new creative expressions.
- ICA Residents: Makes connections between innovative organizations, artists, and the community to boost public programs and drive new ideas.
Visitor Information
ICA Miami is open Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m, CLOSED Mondays. Admission to ICA is always free.
Address: 61 NE 41st St, Miami, FL 33137
8. Rubell Family Collection
Originally established in New York City in 1964, this Miami art museum was moved to a former DEA confiscation center by Jason and Jennifer Rubell in 1993. One of the world’s largest privation collections, the Rubell Family Collection features works from Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Kara Walker, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Visitor Information
The Rubell location in the Wynwood Art District is open Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and offers a free tour at 3 p.m. each day. CLOSED Sunday-Tuesday. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and free for military members and children under 18.
Address: 95 W 29th St, Miami, FL 33127