Franklin Sirmans

Franklin Sirmans — Director, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)

Current Role & Vision

Since October 2015, Franklin Sirmans has served as the Director of PAMM, where he champions the museum’s mission to reflect Miami’s diverse community and global perspective Canvas+15Wikipedia+15Your Luxury Africa+15. In his early tenure, he secured the museum’s largest art gift to date—a major acquisition from Design District developer Craig Robins, adding over 100 contemporary works to PAMM’s collection Wikipedia+1Miami New Times+1.

Curatorial Background

Before PAMM, Sirmans held influential curatorial roles:

He also curated nationwide exhibitions like One Planet Under a Groove: Contemporary Art and Hip Hop and Basquiat—and served as artistic director for Prospect.3 New Orleans (2012–2014) LACMA+9Wikipedia+9artmiamimagazine.com+9.

Awards & Leadership Achievements

At PAMM, he has overseen initiatives like the Caribbean Cultural Institute Fellowships, reinforcing the museum’s role as a regional and diasporic platform California State University, Chico+13The Westside Gazette+13global-black-studies.miami.edu+13.

Editorial & Scholarly Work

Sirmans has served as editor-in-chief of ArtAsiaPacific and U.S. editor of Flash Art. He has written for prominent publications including The New York Times, Art in America, ArtNews, Newsweek International, Essence, and Grand Street discovery.affidavit.art+8Wikipedia+8artmiamimagazine.com+8.

Impact & Philosophy

With a consistent focus on cultural equity, Sirmans has positioned PAMM as a community-forward institution committed to showcasing Afro-Caribbean and Latinx art. His leadership model blends curatorial rigor with grassroots engagement, aligning institutional growth with public accessibility in Miami’s dynamic arts ecosystem .

Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
BirthplaceNew York City
EducationB.A. in Art History & English, Wesleyan University
Major RolesPAMM Director (2015–present); LACMA Curator (2010–2015); Menil Collection Curator (2006–2010)
Notable ProjectsExhibitions: Basquiat (2005), One Planet Under a Groove, NeHoHooDoo; Director, Prospect.3 (2012–14)
AwardsDriskell Prize (2007); Gold Rush Award (2009)
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