The Vasari Project Marks 25 Years of Documenting Miami-Dade’s Visual Arts History
- camilarosiaz
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs announced The Vasari Project at 25, an exhibition and archival celebration highlighting a quarter-century of visual art documentation in Miami-Dade County. The project is on view through December 18, 2025, at the Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Special Collections and Archives at 101 West Flagler Street in downtown Miami.
The Vasari Project, initiated in 2000 by a trio of cultural leaders including art librarian Margarita Cano, art historian Helen L. Kohen, and art services manager Barbara N. Young, preserves materials that trace the evolution of visual arts in the region from 1945 to the present. The archive includes exhibition catalogs, press clippings, photographs, oral histories, and other documents that reflect the development of Miami-Dade’s artistic landscape and institutional growth.
The anniversary exhibition emphasizes the critical role of archives in chronicling creative communities and supporting research, scholarship, and public engagement with local cultural history. Funding for the project was provided by the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs, and the presentation reinforces ongoing collaborations between cultural agencies and community archives to expand access to the region’s artistic legacy.
In addition to the special exhibition, the announcement highlights open calls for public art commissions at Terminal G, PortMiami, inviting professional visual artists nationwide to submit qualifications for future works that will shape the identity of Miami’s expanded cruise terminal.
The announcement also highlights the Artist Access (ART) Grant Program, an initiative supporting the professional development of Miami-Dade–based artists across all disciplines. Funded by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with FUNDarte, the program provides financial assistance to practicing artists pursuing opportunities that advance their creative practice and careers in measurable ways. The application deadline is Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., and eligibility is open to artists working in any medium who reside in Miami-Dade County.
Through these initiatives, Miami-Dade continues to cultivate cultural memory and support contemporary art practices, reflecting the county’s commitment to preserving and activating its vibrant art ecosystem.