Bass Museum Of Art

Located on the north end of the Art Deco district, the Bass Museum of Art, originally the Miami Beach Public Library, became a museum in 1964 when art collectors John and Johanna Bass donated their private art collection to the museum. Comprised of mainly 15th to 17th century European paintings, textiles, and sculpture, this collection provided the core of the museum's exhibits.

Housed in a Mayan Indian-influenced Art Deco building erected in 1930, the Bass Museum gallery space is divided between evenly between the permanent displays and an ever-changing group of temporary exhibits. Highlights of the permanent collection include a small number of Renaissance works, paintings by Rubens and Durer, and giant Flemish tapestries. Among the important modern works are those by Fernard Leger and Toulouse-Lautrec.

Visiting the Bass Museum of Art

Getting to the Bass Museum is relatively easy. Buses run regularly along Collins Avenue alongside the museum, and parking is plentiful. The museum is open every day except Mondays and holidays--though it doesn't hurt to check before you go. Admission is quite affordable and discounts are offered for students, children, and senior citizens. The museum is wheelchair accessible.

The Bass Museum has a cafe offering light snacks and beverages. The cafe is available to rent for private functions and is occasionally the site of museum openings and other functions. A museum shop is also located on the premises. It offers an eclectic selection of art, photographs, books, postcards, folk art, and affordable original art.