The Bass Museum of Art is the iconic bright and shiny diamond of the metro Miami art world. Rising majestically from its glorious location on Collins Avenue, it represents all that Miami has become in the milieu of fine art and innovative programming.
Located on the site originally built to house the Miami Beach Public Library and Art Center, the building was designed in 1930 by Russell Pancoast, grandson of Miami Beach pioneer John A. Collins. First opening its doors in 1963, The Bass Museum displayed a private collection of Renaissance and Baroque works of art that was donated to the City of Miami Beach by John and Johanna Bass. Vastly evolving from its founding collection, the Bass Museum of Art currently offers a dynamic year-round calendar of exhibitions exploring the connections between contemporary art and works of art from its permanent collection of Renaissance and Baroque paintings, sculpture, textiles, Apulian Vessel Gallery and Egyptian Gallery. Artists’ projects, educational programs, lectures, and free family days complement the works on view.
Architect Arata Isozaki designed an addition to the museum between 1998 and 2002 that doubled its size from 15,000 to 35,000 square feet. Most recently, the museum selected internationally acclaimed Oppenheim Architecture + Design to lead its first phase of design and renovation tied to the 2010 completion of Miami Beach’s Collins Park. Oppenheim redesigned and relocated the museum’s arrival area to flow from and into the new park on Collins Avenue.
Today, the museum thrives under the leadership of Board of Director President George Lindemann, and Silvia Karman Cubiñá, Executive Director and Chief Curator.
With a mission “to inspire and educate by exploring the connections between our historical collections and contemporary art,” Silvia Karman Cubina reflects that “all art was once contemporary and inversely, that all contemporary works of art are part of a continuum of art history.”
Exhibitions at the Bass Museum present art in dynamic conversations spanning time, history and cultures. Their educational programs demonstrate that art is a catalyst for creativity and positive growth, especially in the area of early childhood education. The museum provides affordable resources for the teaching community, based on sound scholarship.
Education through art is paramount for our future. At the Bass Museum, education is highlighted through some very innovative programs that allow adults and children as young as two years old to appreciate art and learn about its importance in our lives.
The Lindemann Family Creativity Center was inaugurated in the Museum in January of this year. “Finally, we have a place to experiment, essentially create a laboratory for artistic experiments, where teachers, parents and children can be inspired to solve design problems and stimulate their imaginative energies. The specially designed work tables and art equipment make this classroom space unique in South Florida,” George Lindemann.
The Lindemann Family Creativity Center is the home of the museum’s IDEA@thebass programs of art classes and workshops.
IDEA@thebass stands for Identify, Discuss, Envision, Assess. Developed in conjunction with Stanford University’s acclaimed Institute of Design, IDEA classes employ a method of teaching known as Design Thinking, an open ended method of problem solving that allows children to brainstorm, work in teams and engage in creative play.
Doodle 4 Google
Doodle 4 Google is a national competition for K-12 students, to create their own Google doodle (the logo that appears daily on Google’s homepage). Over 100,000 students participated in 2011.
In late February, local students were provided tools (crayons and watercolors) to create artwork for this contest.
The Bass Museum will showcase the five Florida finalists’ art work during the month of June. On June 24, coinciding with IDEA@thebass monthly family day, there will be a reception to honor these talented young artists.
Never too young…never too old
“Bass babies” and “bass buddies,” launched in February, are programs designed for young children (ages two through four, and four through six, respectively). These sessions are held semimonthly throughout the spring, and are led by a Montessori teacher utilizing art as the outlet for creativity and positive reinforcement.
The Creativity Center is also offers Art Club for Adults, lectures, film screenings, and teacher training workshops. Additional children’s programs include pre-school art classes, after school, weekend and summer classes for children. The Children’s Trust Network will provide scholarships to those that qualify.
Furthering art education for all ages is vital – bravo to the Bass Museum for its wonderful contributions to our community. SAVE THE DATE Thursday, April 26, 2012, 7 to 10p.m.: “A Night at the Museum” ANNUAL FUNDRAISER and vernissage of charles ledray: bass museum of art tickets range from $175 to $1,000 for two. Admission to the museum and the Lindemann Family Creativity Center: Free for Miami Beach residents. Cost for nonresidents: adults $8, children and students $6, and children under 6 are free. Museum hours, Wednesday through Sunday, noon until 5:00 p.m. Reservations are not required.
Bass Museum of Art, 2100 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach FL 33139, www.bassmuseum.org, 305.673.7530
