Painting Magic City: Miami for Art Lovers

When you think “art,” Miami might not be the first town to come to mind. But artsy travelers will be surprised! With its wealth of Cuban, Caribbean, and Latin American influences, you’ll find that Miami is a city that’s ripe with talented artists who have a unique American perspective and whose works are displayed in beautiful galleries, museums, and other non-conventional spaces.

So, if you’re an art aficionado heading for Magic City, we’ve lined up some of the best places to visit and what you shouldn’t miss while you’re there!

MOCA Miami

Art lovers from all over the country book cheap flights to Miami just to check out the latest modern art exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum’s ongoing Electric Tree collection is an important piece of public art that lights up a seemingly ordinary tree at night with special gels and LED lights. If you go, you may see people strolling around and socializing or taking pictures.

The Bird Road Art District

A neighborhood that spans between 48th Street and 40th Street, Bird Road Art District is one of Miami’s most eclectic and important art districts. You’ll discover many artists’ studios as well as alternative art spaces, galleries, and art schools. You can admire a host of different art forms while strolling through the area, including paintings in all genres and mediums, sculpture, installations, conceptual art, digital art, spoken word, and black box theater.

The Lowe Art Museum

The Lowe Art Museum was the first art museum to open in South Florida. Run by the University of Miami, it was designed to help educate the public and has grown over the years to house about 17,500 artifacts. You’ll have a lot to see! The exhibits are organized by style, including Baroque, Native American, Renaissance, and Asian art.

The Perez Art Museum in Miami

[Above image “Perez Art Museum Miami” by Phillip Pessar on Flickr – licensed under CC BY 2.0]

If it’s the latest modern and contemporary art pieces that you want to check out, then Perez Art Museum Miami is the place to go. With a robust, frequently changing collection focused on international art from the 20th and 21st centuries, the museum has transformed Museum Park into a thriving cultural hot spot in Miami.

Bass Museum of Art

[Above image “Bass Museum of Art” by Smart Destinations on Flickr – licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

The Bass is located at 2100 Collins Avenue and offers musical programs, art classes, and a stream of exhibitions. While it’s rather small compared to some of the other museums in town, it still has impressive exhibits and an expanding collection of contemporary art.

Do you know of any other places in Miami that art lovers should visit? Let us know in the comments below!