The Bass

The Bass Museum of Art opens in 1964 through the donation of John and Johanna Bass’s private collection to the City of Miami Beach. It is housed in a 1930s Art Deco building designed by Russell Pancoast, serving as South Florida’s first public art exhibition space and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

In 2001, renovations add a new wing by Arata Isozaki, providing 16,000 square feet of gallery space for temporary exhibitions and institutional growth. In 2009, the museum becomes a 501c3 non-profit, appoints a new director, and refocuses its mission to reflect Miami Beach’s evolving identity as an international art destination.

A comprehensive renovation concludes in 2017, led again by Isozaki with David Gauld, expanding programmable space by nearly 50% and adding four new galleries, a museum store, a café, and a dedicated education facility to support expanded programming and growing attendance.