THE BASS RECEIVES $20.1 MILLION
TO BUILD NEW WING THANKS TO
NEW GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND
MIAMI BEACH REFERENDUM #2 PASSES IN YESTERDAY’S ELECTION
The Bass Museum of Art
2100 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305. 673. 7530
The Bass announces it will receive $20.1 million of Miami Beach’s General Obligation Bond (G.O. Bond), which passed in yesterday’s election via Miami Beach Referendum #2. This bond, which totals $159 million, will support 16 local city-owned cultural facilities, improving their resiliency and offering a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform and expand their impact on the community.
With these funds, The Bass plans to update Pritzker Prize-winning architect Arata Isozaki’s original 1995 building concept by adding a new wing south-west of the museum, as well as undertake infrastructure enhancements to the current facility. The proposed new wing will be designed as a mirror image of the existing building, adding versatile spaces for engagement and a state-of-the-art contemporary gallery for the museum’s growing permanent collection. Now that Miami Beach residents have voted to approve the G.O. Bond, The Bass will begin the process of drawing up construction plans for the project, with more updates to come.
Since 2017, The Bass has been actively collecting works of contemporary art, new media and video, that delve into the themes of climate, identity and networks, amassing hundreds of works works in that brief time. With an expanded facility, the museum will have the capacity to exhibit new acquisitions while temporary exhibitions are on view in the main building, allowing the museum to continue to tell the unfolding story of our time and place through contemporary art.
The Bass intends to enrich the new galleries with cutting edge educational technology that enhances the visitor experience, as well as modern ways of presenting new media and video works, artistic mediums that are a growing focus for the museum and represent a forward-thinking vision that aligns with the cultural direction of Miami Beach.
“The Bass will focus its portion of the G.O. Bond to serve Miami Beach’s vibrant new audiences by increasing exhibition capacity and gallery space, adding more opportunities for dynamic encounters with contemporary art,” said Silvia Karman Cubiñá, Executive Director of The Bass. “We are thrilled with the outcome of the Miami Beach Referendum #2 vote and look forward to realizing our vision for even more diverse and inviting art experiences than ever before.”
“Miami Beach is a global destination for contemporary culture. G.O. Bond funds will enhance The Bass’ ability to serve a wider community and share the power of contemporary art and creativity with visitors and residents alike,” said George Lindemann, Chairman of the Board of Directors, The Bass. “I applaud the vision of the City of Miami Beach which spearheaded this G.O. Bond, and of course, the voters who approved it. These funds are a once in a generation opportunity for The Bass, as well as the other 15 arts organizations, to enable significant transformation that meets the needs of our ever-evolving community, and especially meaningful as the museum draws closer to our 60th anniversary.”
A full list of arts and culture institutions benefitting from this transformative bond measure includes:
- Art Deco Welcome Center
- Byron Carlyle Theater
- Colony Theater
- The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater
- Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach
- Miami Beach Botanical Garden
- Miami Beach Bandshell
- Miami City Ballet
- Miami Beach Hispanic Community Center
- Miami New Drama at Collins Park Garage
- New World Symphony
- North Beach Oceanfront Center (Unidad Senior Center)
- The Reefline
- The Wolfsonian
- Jewish Museum of Florida
The Bass Museum of Art is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Bass is generously funded by the City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council; the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts; and The Bass membership. CH697 – A copy of the official registration & financial information for Friends of the Bass Museum, Inc. (d.b.a. The Bass) may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free (800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.
