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Following a transformative renovation by the City of Miami Beach, The Bass Museum of Art announces its new satellite gallery, The Rotunda. The new Rotunda at The Bass extends the museum campus and further advances the museum’s mission to deepen engagement with contemporary art across Miami Beach’s diverse audiences.

STORIED ART DECO HISTORY

Designed in 1962 by New York-born architect Herbert A. Mathes, The Rotunda in Collins Park originally served as an assembly room for the old Miami Beach Public Library. The circular structure hosted meetings, lectures, performances, and events dedicated to shared learning. The exterior—adorned with a sand-cast concrete mural, The Story of Man, by renowned American sculptor Albert Vrana—emphasized the profound role of narrative and the written word in human culture. The Rotunda exterior exemplifies Vrana’s practice of integrating art and architecture. Along with its distinctive circular design and translucent window walls, the building long contributed to the architectural identity of the City of Miami Beach. When the main library was demolished in the 1980s, The Rotunda was preserved to retain Vrana’s significant façade, reflecting the work’s cultural importance within Collins Park.

COMPREHENSIVE RENOVATION

In 2024, the City of Miami Beach embarked on a comprehensive renovation of the existing 1,960 square foot single-story rotunda structure and an 895-square-foot entryway addition. Funded in part by the Arts and Culture General Obligation Bond and State of Florida Department of State Cultural Facilities Grant, this $3.15 million dollar project included new interior finishes alongside upgrades to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as full ADA compliance. The expansion also provided a welcoming entrance lobby, modernized restrooms, and a dedicated utility space—all complemented by new exterior glazing and doors. The enhancements extended into Collins Park with new accessible concrete walkways, pedestrian LED lighting, and revitalized landscaping and irrigation. In 2025, The Bass was awarded The Rotunda as a new space to program and preserve with the completion of the City of Miami Beach’s renovation spring 2026.

FIRST EXHIBITION

The Rotunda at The Bass now serves as both an entry point to Collins Park and an extension of the museum’s expanding campus. Under stewardship of The Bass, The Rotunda once again embodies themes of communication, collective memory, and creative expression. The first exhibition in The Rotunda, Pascale Marthine Tayou: Welcome Wall (2015-2026), continues the site’s legacy as a communal space for encounter and exchange.

“The Rotunda extends the museum’s campus into the city, sharing inspiring art freely and easily with anyone while furthering the museum’s mission,” said George Lindemann, Chairman of The Board of The Bass.

“We’re thrilled to offer more contemporary art experiences at The Rotunda,” said Silvia Karman Cubiñá, Executive Director of The Bass. “Along with the Art Outside public art projects like Miami Mountain, we look forward to collaborating with nearby arts organizations and the Collins Park Neighborhood Association for special programs throughout the year.”