The Bass Museum Announces Winter 2026 Programs and Exhibitions in Miami Beach
- Miami Living AI
- Jan 6
- 6 min read
The Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach has announced a wide-ranging winter 2026 lineup that includes public programs, family workshops, teen initiatives, special events, and major exhibitions, highlighting contemporary art, local history, and community engagement across the museum and its surrounding Collins Park campus.
Third Thursdays Program
On Thursday, January 15, from 6–9 p.m., The Bass will present “Third Thursdays: Miami Beach a Million Years Ago,” an outdoor walking lecture led by local historian Malcolm Lauredo.
The program combines storytelling, mobile projections, and archival materials to reimagine Miami and its beaches long before the city’s contemporary skyline and shorelines. The route circles the museum block and features large-scale wall projections that illuminate historical and geological discoveries.
Following the outdoor portion, participants return inside the museum to explore a pop-up research tent displaying articles, photographs, artifacts, and related materials that expand on the historical narrative.
Seating is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with complimentary admission available by RSVP. RSVP online for program details and registration.
Connection-Focused Tour
Also on Thursday, January 15, from 6–9 p.m., The Bass will host “We Met at The Bass: Local History, Art, and Connection,” a social program developed in collaboration with We Met in Miami, a nonprofit focused on combating loneliness and fostering community connections.
The evening features an exclusive guided tour with structured icebreakers and facilitated conversations designed to encourage participants to meet new people, whether they are seeking friendship, romance, or broader community ties.
Guests can opt to wear color-coded wristbands indicating their interests—green for romantic connections, blue for friendship, and rainbow for members of the LGBTQIA+ community—with the option to combine more than one. Staff support is available to help attendees reconnect with each other after the event if desired.
The program is free with a ticket, and participants may add to calendar or reserve attendance online.
Art Cares Workshop
On Saturday, January 10, from 1–3 p.m., The Bass Creativity Center will host “Art Cares | Diamonds and Inner Fortitude,” part of the museum’s Art for Families Workshops series.
The session focuses on family connection and the therapeutic potential of art-making, inviting participants of all ages to explore themes of resilience and internal strength through drawing and constructing diamond-themed artworks.
Taking inspiration from Vasarely’s “Diamond Decal” in the exhibition assume vivid astro focus: XI, families will create diamond mobiles that connect visual experimentation with ideas of personal fortitude.
The workshop is free with advance registration, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Capacity is limited to approximately 15 participants per session.
Interested families can learn more and register via the museum’s website.
Annual Bass Ball Gala
The Bass Ball | Kaleidoscopic, the museum’s annual black-tie gala, is scheduled for Thursday, January 29, from 6:30–11 p.m. Hosted by The Bass Board of Trustees and Executive Director Silvia Karman Cubiñá, the evening will take place at the museum and support exhibitions and education programs.
This year’s theme, “Kaleidoscopic,” draws directly from the exhibition The Kaleidoscopic: Writing Histories through the Collection, which examines how artworks can reflect changing and multifaceted narratives over time. The gala will feature a range of experiences inspired by this curatorial focus.
Proceeds from the event will benefit The Bass’ exhibition program and educational initiatives, furthering the museum’s mission to share contemporary art with the local and regional community. Guests are invited to explore sponsorship levels, ticket options, and membership opportunities online.
Additional event details and reservation information are available via the museum’s website, where visitors can save the date and access ticketing resources.
Immersive Writing Workshop
On Saturday, January 31, from 2–3:30 p.m., The Bass will offer “Workshops @ The Bass | In Dialogue: An Immersive Art + Writing Experience with Neysa King,” an adult-focused program that combines close looking and creative writing.
The session begins with a guided introduction to the exhibition Lawrence Lek: NOX Pavilion, after which participants are invited to explore the installation independently and note what stands out, surprises them, or prompts questions.
Attendees then gather for a structured writing session to record immediate impressions and personal responses, followed by a short group reflection. Curated readings related to the themes of the exhibition are shared aloud, and the workshop concludes with free writing that draws on the artwork, literature, and participants’ own experiences.
Designed for adults ages 21 and older at all skill levels, the workshop provides all necessary materials. The class fee is $15 for museum members and $20 for nonmembers. Registration is available online; prospective participants can register here for more information.
Lawrence Lek: NOX Pavilion
The exhibition Lawrence Lek: NOX Pavilion, now on view at The Bass through April 26, 2026, presents an immersive installation by London-based artist Lawrence Lek (b. 1982).
Lek’s practice imagines speculative futures closely aligned with current technological developments, particularly the increasing role of artificial intelligence in everyday life. His work incorporates computer-generated film, sculptural installation, video games, and sound to build interconnected story worlds.
At the center of the project are intelligent machines—self-driving vehicles, AI systems, and robotic figures—treated not merely as tools but as central characters with their own memories, motivations, and psychological complexity.
The exhibition is curated by Claudia Mattos, Associate Curator of New Media Art at The Bass, and is supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation New Media Initiative.
Further details, including visitor information and related programming, are available to those who learn more on the exhibition page.
Jack Pierson: The Miami Years
The Bass is also presenting Jack Pierson: The Miami Years, on view through August 16, 2026. This exhibition is the first dedicated to examining the profound influence of Miami—particularly South Beach—on Pierson’s life and artistic development.
The presentation explores how the city’s coastal landscape and queer nightlife offered Pierson both respite from New York City and fertile ground for experimentation. Affordable apartments, secondhand stores, and a sense of freedom contributed to an underlying current of wanderlust and escapism that runs through his work.
Curated by James Voorhies, Curator at Large at The Bass, the exhibition is made possible with support from Lisson Gallery and Regen Projects. Additional funding comes from the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council, the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs and Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation New Media Initiative.
Visitor information and exhibition highlights are available to those who learn more on The Bass website.
Additional Exhibitions
In addition to NOX Pavilion and The Miami Years, The Bass continues to feature other contemporary projects, including exhibitions such as Faire Foyer: Sarah Crowner in Dialogue with Etel Adnan, The Kaleidoscopic: Writing Histories through the Collection, Michelangelo Pistoletto: Mirror of Eternity 2025 and assume vivid astro focus: XI. Current offerings span painting, installation, and new media, reflecting the museum’s ongoing commitment to global contemporary practice.
A complete list of current exhibitions, including dates and visitor resources, can be found via the museum’s current exhibitions page.
Teen Art Exhibition
The Bass Teen Board is inviting submissions for its annual Teen Art Exhibition, open to young artists in the greater Miami region. The submission deadline is Sunday, February 8, 2026. The exhibition will be on view starting Thursday, March 19, 2026, with a public celebration scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2026.
The 2026 theme is “Time,” encouraging participants to respond to the concept through personal memories, physical processes, collective experiences, or more abstract interpretations. Selected works will highlight the ways in which teens capture moments, transitions, and the evolving character of life in South Florida and beyond.
Submissions are accepted online, and interested teens can submit work and review full guidelines on The Bass website.
Family Day and STEAM+
On Sunday, January 25, from 2–4 p.m., The Bass will host “Family Day & STEAM+ Celebration,” centered on the museum’s STEAM+ Student Exhibition. The event invites families and young visitors to explore concepts of light, reflection, and symmetry inspired by The Kaleidoscopic and artist Karen Rifas’ spiral mirror works.
In the Creativity Center, attendees will test reflective materials, map light paths, and create optical artworks that shift as viewers move around them, bridging science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.
Families can add to calendar via the event listing and access additional details.
The Studio at The Bass
The Bass Creativity Center now features The Studio, a newly renovated space designed for drop-in art-making. Open on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30–4:30 p.m., the Studio offers self-guided activities, design challenges, reading materials, and other resources for visitors of all ages.
Guests are encouraged to pause during their museum visit to experiment with materials and ideas in an informal environment. Further information about The Studio, including current activities and access guidelines, is available to those who learn more via the online event page.
South Beach Jazz Night
As part of the South Beach Jazz Festival, Collins Park will host Society Jazz Night on Friday, January 9. The evening will feature an open-air concert by Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra, with guest vocalist Carla Cook, from 8–10 p.m.
Known for its energetic arrangements and nine-piece instrumentation, the ensemble will present a high-intensity program in the outdoor setting adjacent to The Bass.
A VIP option is available and includes a 7 p.m. reception at The Bass and reserved seating for the concert. VIP Seating & Reception tickets are priced at $75, with a promotional code offered for discounted admission.
Tickets and additional event information can be found via the festival’s RSVP page. Attendees can use the designated code at checkout for savings.
Visitor Information
Comprehensive information about exhibitions, programs, membership, and upcoming events at The Bass Museum of Art is available through the museum’s official website at thebass.org. Visitors can also follow the museum’s social media channels for updates and behind-the-scenes content.