Miami Beach, known for its vibrant energy and stunning beaches, has also become a thriving center for arts and culture. In an interview on Inside South Florida, Lissette Arrogante, the Director of Tourism and Culture for the City of Miami Beach, shed light on the city's commitment to fostering artistic expression and creativity.
Established in 1984, Miami Beach's Art in Public Places program has been instrumental in integrating art into the city's landscape. By allocating funds to commission public art pieces, Miami Beach now boasts captivating installations stretching from South Pointe Park to the Miami Beach bandshell.
Arrogante attributes Miami Beach's status as Florida's capital of arts and culture to its robust support for the arts. The city annually approves over a million dollars in grants for cultural institutions and presenters. Additionally, residents play a crucial role in shaping the city's cultural landscape, as evidenced by their approval of a $159 million arts and culture G.O. Bond. This bond aims to revamp and enhance the infrastructure of arts and culture facilities across Miami Beach.
One of the highlights of Miami Beach's cultural calendar is Art Week, which includes renowned events like Art Basel Miami Beach. However, the city's commitment to arts and culture extends far beyond this week-long celebration. Programs like Elevate Española, which commissions temporary installations by local and international artists, and the No Vacancy program, which brings artwork into hotel lobbies, enrich the cultural experience for residents and visitors alike.
Arrogante also highlighted initiatives like the Legacy Purchase program, where residents have a say in selecting new works of art for the city. Through programs like this and No Vacancy, both judges and residents play a role in shaping Miami Beach's artistic landscape.
Even after Art Week concludes, Miami Beach continues to offer a plethora of cultural experiences. The Culture Crawl, held on the third Thursday of every month, allows visitors to explore cultural institutions like the Bass Museum and the Wolfsonian-FIU for free. Additionally, the Soundscape Cinema Series, featuring screenings of contemporary and classic films at Soundscape Park, and the OnStage program, which offers free cultural performances in public spaces, provide further opportunities for residents to engage with the arts.
For those looking to stay informed about upcoming events, Miami Beach offers a comprehensive arts and culture calendar on its website, as well as detailed information on exhibitions and programs on MiamiBeachFL.gov.
This Inside South Florida segment is sponsored by the City of Miami Beach.
