Learn More About Perez Art Museum Miami

Though the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) has long been one of the city's most prominent contemporary art museums, it's become an even greater presence on the Miami art scene since its 2013 move to the Biscayne Bayfront. As if the Herzog & de Meuron-designed structure wasn't stunning enough, within the huge 200,000-square-foot museum are kinetic sculptures, model boats, and an outdoor sculpture garden that has become a magnet for Instagrammers.

• What can we see here?

At PAMM, time takes precedence over medium; as long as a piece was created in the twentieth or twenty-first centuries and expresses something about current living in the location where it was created, it will fit right in. Expect a lot of surprising works, such as Konstantin Grcic's Netscape, a hanging chair installation that beckons people to have a seat. Outside, you may soak up some sun and culture in one of the museum's most significant permanent collections, The Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Sculpture Garden, which features large-scale pieces by Anthony Caro, Gonzálo Fonseca, and Edgar Negret.

• What did you make of the crowd?

PAMM's reputation as one of the city's greatest art museums precedes it, so the venue is packed with art lovers—as well as tourists looking to tick all the Miami boxes. The museum also organizes children's activities and seminars. If you prefer a more mature audience, attend one of the museum's Third Thursday evening parties, where you may peruse the current exhibitions, sip complimentary drinks, and dance to live music.

• Is it easy to get around?

Expect a crowd, but it will be largely like-minded folks who want to view the work. Just don't get irritated if you find yourself trapped behind a particularly sluggish mob of art-gawkers, and you'll be OK (and it'll all be worth it).

• Any guided tours worth trying?

Given its emphasis on what's new and creative, it's no wonder that PAMM has its own app, which is free to download and provides a more in-depth look at what's on exhibit. Art lectures last five to thirty minutes, so put in your earbuds and get going.

• Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it?

You won't want to miss out on the PAMM Shop. It's frequently listed as the city's greatest museum gift store, with one-of-a-kind artwork and quirky items like custom-made glass jewelry, art-covered scarves (we adore the Basquiat one), and a small-scale model of the building itself.

• What if we get hungry?

Cucuyo is a 3D-printed stainless steel building that is part sculpture and part alfresco snack bar (with soups, salads, and sandwiches, plus a coffee bar, beer, wine, cocktails, and kombucha, all of which can be enjoyed outside). Verde, a waterfront restaurant with both outdoor and indoor dining, has become a hotspot in its own right due to its location on Biscayne Bay. While staring out at the Bayfront, try the shrimp tacos, butternut squash and fig pizza, mussels with chorizo, or a juicy, bacon-topped burger.

What to Know Before Your Visit

PAMM is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Sundays. 

Members and guests are invited to pre-purchase timed tickets online. Face masks are required. To assist prevent the spread of Covid-19, PAMM requires everyone, including employees and volunteers, to wear a face covering that covers the mouth and nose when inside the building.

Information provided by Flood Professionals, Inc.