Bass Museum of Art

The Bass is Miami Beach's contemporary art museum, housed in a striking 1930s Art Deco building on Collins Park in the heart of South Beach. Originally built as the Miami Beach Public Library and Art Center and designed by architect Russell Pancoast, the structure stands out for its oolitic limestone (keystone) cladding, an early landmark of the style that would come to define the city. The museum was founded in 1964 when John and Johanna Bass donated their private collection of more than 500 works to the City of Miami Beach.

Once dedicated to European Renaissance and Baroque masters, The Bass has reinvented itself as a hub for international contemporary art. A $12 million expansion completed in 2017 increased its programmable space by nearly 50 percent, adding four new galleries for bold, of-the-moment exhibitions that connect global artists with Miami's diverse audiences.

Visitor tip: the museum sits steps from the beach and the New World Center, so it pairs perfectly with a stroll through Collins Park. Check the calendar for rotating shows and family programs before you go, and explore more of Miami's culture while you're in the area.