Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami

With its roots in a small gallery established in 1981, this North Miami museum has played a key role in the city’s ascent as a global art center. Among the first South Florida institutions to collects and exhibit contemporary work, it has showcased artists from the region and beyond, giving figures including Albert Oehlen their first institutional solo shows in the U.S. and bringing many well-known international artists to Miami. The museum’s acquisition program launched in 1996, as it opened a new 23,000-square-foot building designed by Charles Gwat.mes y—it now holds more than 500 works of contemporary art, with a strong emphasis on mult.mes dia and installation. Keenly researched rotating exhibitions (8 to 10 held annually) frequently feature underrepresented artists and tackle live social and political issues. The museum provides a wide array of outreach programs and free admission to North Miami residents.