Last updated: 3/9/2023
Miami Beach, Florida
Address
1001 Washington AvenueMiami Beach, FL 33139
phone: 305-531-1001
fax: 305-531-2133
e-mail: info@thewolf.fiu.edu
web: www.wolfsonian.org

Hours

Friday
12 PM - 9 PM
Sunday - Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
12 PM - 6 PM
Wednesday
closed

Admissions

Adults $7
Seniors, Students and Children 6-12 $5
Free for Wolfsonian members, State of University of Florida staff and students with ID, and children under 6
Free admission after 6 pm on Fridays

Staff

Casey Steadman
phone: 305-535-2655
Frank Luca
phone: 305-535-2641
Richard Miltner
phone: 305-535-2603
Kim Bergen
phone: 305-535-2630
Regina Bailey
phone: 305-535-2649
Ian Rand
phone: 305-535-2626
Lisa Li
phone: 305-535-2623
Amy Silverman
phone: 305-535-2629
David Almeida
phone: 305-535-2634
Jon Mogul
phone: 305-535-2613
Larry Wiggins
phone: 305-535-2620
Nicolae Harsanyi
phone: 305-535-2637
Paola La Rivera
phone: 305-535-2680
Sulaiman Paperwalla
phone: 305-535-2651
Sarah Jackson
phone:
Carolyn Gentry
phone: 305-535-2626
Cathy Byrd
phone: 305-535-2624
Christian Larsen
phone: 305-535-2612
Derek Merleaux
phone: 305-535-2643
Javarris Jones
phone: 305-535-2660
Diana Cardenas
phone: 305-535-4971
Jessica Kennedy
phone: 305-535-2684
Laila Pedro
phone: 305-535-2622
Laura Phillips
phone: 305-535-2652
Lea Nickless
phone: 305-535-2611
Lynton Gardiner
phone: 305-535-2628
Maria Trujillo
phone: 305-535-2616
Matthew Abess
phone: 305-535-2685
Michel Potop
phone: 305-535-2638
Peter Clericuzio
phone: 305-535-2627
Rochelle Pienn
phone: 305-535-2640
Rosemarie Tony
phone: 305-535-2660
Rudy Barredo
phone: 305-535-2681
Sharon Misdea
phone: 305-535-2632
Silvia Barisione
phone: 305-535-2686
Steve Forero-Paz
phone: 305-535-2650
Thom Wolek
phone: 305-535-2604
Michael Hughes
phone:
Luna Goldberg
phone:
Shoshana Resnikoff
phone:
Isabel Brador
phone:
Mission

The mission of The Wolfsonian as a museum and research center is reflected in its multidisciplinary approach to looking at objects as both agents and expressions of change. It does so through exhibitions, publications, educational programs, and individual scholarship. While these objects can best be understood in the context in which they were created, they illuminate as much about our times as they reveal about their own. The following mission statement describes its purpose:

The Wolfsonian-Florida International University uses objects to illustrate the persuasive power of art and design, to explore what it means to be modern, and to tell the story of social, historical, and technological changes that have transformed our world. It encourages people to see the world in new ways, and to learn from the past as they shape the present and influence the future.

History

The Wolfsonian was founded in 1986 to exhibit, document and preserve the Mitchell Wolfson Jr. Collection, an assemblage of 120,000 objects including furniture and other decorative arts, paintings, books, prints and ephemera. The focus of interpretation is the critically important role of design at the height of the industrial age in the context of social, political and technological issues. From 1986 through 1993 staff members were committed primarily to unpacking, registering, cataloging, conserving and researching the collection, then growing at the staggering rate of some 300 items per month. Objects were stored in a 1927 Mediterranean Revival building, which in 1992 was renovated and enlarged for the new museum—a seven-story, 56,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility. Located at 1001 Washington Avenue, the facility now houses The Wolfsonian’s auditorium, The Dynamo Museum Shop and Café, administrative offices, library, storage of small objects and paintings and three exhibition galleries. The Wolfsonian’s remaining object collections are housed in a 28,000-square-foot, historic warehouse in Miami Beach known as the Annex.

The Wolfsonian’s first exhibition was held at Miami-Dade College between 1988 and 1990, where it captured public interest and was viewed by 40,000 visitors. Stile Floreale: The Cult of Nature in Italian Design was guest-curated by Dr. Gabriel Weisberg. The accompanying catalog was published by the University of Washington Press. In January 1993 The Wolfsonian opened a 1,000-square-foot preview exhibition, Design 1880–1945: The Modern Idiom, in its Miami Beach facility. Showcasing 100 objects from The Wolfsonian collection, the exhibition was seen by 12,000 visitors before it closed in June 1995 in preparation for the inaugural exhibition. The Wolfsonian’s research component was also established in 1993; it administers a competitive fellowship program, facilitates collections access and plays a leading role in the Association of Research Institutes in Art History.

The Wolfsonian’s full-scale public dimension was officially inaugurated on November 11, 1995, with the opening of the major touring exhibition The Arts of Reform and Persuasion, 1885–1945, which demonstrated, for the first time, the depth and breadth of The Wolfsonian collection and its concomitant themes. Presenting 256 objects from the permanent collection, this exhibition traveled to the leading art museums of Los Angeles, Seattle, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. Its catalog garnered international recognition and won awards for its excellence.

In May 1996, The Wolfsonian launched its calendar of regularly scheduled temporary exhibitions, with summer exhibitions focusing on the city of Miami’s centennial, objects surrounding the consumption of food and modern Dutch graphic design. In November 1996, The Wolfsonian opened Art and Design in the Modern Age, featuring some 300 objects from the permanent collection. Permanent galleries provide insight into the role of design as an agent and reflection of change, interpreting both the advent of modernity and the persistence of tradition. Temporary exhibitions have continued with Pioneers of Modern Graphic Design (1997); Public Works and Drawing the Future: Designs for the 1939 New York World’s Fair (1998); Leading “The Simple Life”: The Arts and Crafts Movement in Britain, 1880–1910 (1999); Print, Power and Persuasion: Graphic Design in Germany, 1890–1945 and Dreams and Disillusion: Karel Teige and the Czech Avant-Garde (2001); From Emperors to Hoi Polloi: Portraits of an Era, 1851–1945 (2002); Weapons of Mass Dissemination: The Propaganda of War and Tokyo: The Imperial Capital (2003); Streets and Faces: Jazz Age Paris, London, Berlin and New York; Evolution/Revolution: A Century of Modern Seating (2004); X: A Decade of Collecting (2005); In Pursuit of Pleasure: Schultze & Weaver and the American Hotel (2005); Revolutionary Tides: The Art of the Political Poster, 1914–1989 (2006); Modernism in American Silver: 20th-Century Design (2006); Agitated Images: John Heartfield & German Photomontage, 1920–1938 (2007);

In 1997 The Wolfsonian became a department of Florida International University, following Mitchell Wolfson Jr.’s landmark donation of his collection, and its historic building, to the state. Given this fiscal and administrative stability, and the vital support from local, state and national resources, programming continues to grow and diversify as additional events for residents and visitors to South Florida are realized. Staff-directed collections management, conservation and documentation continue with vigor and care. The Wolfsonian has become one of the world’s preeminent exhibitors of material culture, offering educational and research opportunities to a diverse community of cultural seekers and academics. In 2003 The Wolfsonian’s director, Cathy Leff, was invited to become a member of the American Association of Museum Directors. And in 2005 the museum signed an agreement with the American Academy in Rome for joint appointments for Wolfsonian fellows.

The Wolfsonian has developed an extensive array of academic and public programs, reaching an audience as broad and varied as its collection. The museum has produced exhibitions and activities to give the public opportunities to identify and consider the historical significance of collection themes and their relevance to the world today. Ongoing public programming is extensive, including school activities, community events, lectures, films, symposia and collaborative performing arts events. The Wolfsonian also collaborates with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Museum Education Program to develop additional school tours and curriculum materials. Programmatic objectives focus on building audiences within the public schools and the FIU communities, while advancing The Wolfsonian’s international scholarly reputation.

Facilities
Auditoriums
Lecture Halls
Performance Areas
Governance

Public Non-Profit

Library
Library Hours

The reading room is open by appointment, Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm and Saturday, 11am–5:30pm. To schedule a visit, please contact library@thewolf.fiu.edu or 305.535.2641/2637.

Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members
Appointment required: Yes
Services
Let us Host your Special Events

The Wolfsonian is an ideal venue for hosting special events of all kinds, from corporate luncheons and meetings to large receptions to lectures and other programs. The museum offers several different spaces well-suited to a range of events, all with state-of-the-art audio visual capacity. Our experienced staff is available to show you the different spaces and we have an in-house caterer. Follow the links below for details and fees for spaces available for rental along with information about the museum’s caterer. Group tours are available as well, for those who are interested in touring one or more exhibition as part of their event.

Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Restaurant
Group Tours
ADA
Wheelchair Accessible
Restrooms
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Museum Trustee Association Spring Forum 2024

April 10 - 14, 2024

Atlanta, Georgia

Texas Association of Museums 2024 Lubock Annual Conference

April 14 - 17, 2024

Lubbock, Texas

2024 Colorado-Wyoming ANNUAL MEETING

May 1 - 4, 2024

Worland, Wyoming

West Virginia Association of Museums 2024 Conference

June 6 - 8, 2024

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

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Museum Associations

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