About the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs
The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council develop cultural excellence, diversity, access and participation throughout Miami-Dade County by strategically creating and promoting equitable opportunities for artists and cultural organizations, and our residents and visitors who are their audiences. Through staff, board and programmatic resources, the Department, the Council and the Trust promote, coordinate and support Miami-Dade County’s more than 1,000 not-for-profit cultural organizations as well as thousands of resident artists through grants, technical assistance, public information and interactive community planning. The Department manages, programs and operates the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, Joseph Caleb Auditorium, Miami-Dade County Auditorium, and South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, all dedicated to presenting and supporting excellence in the arts for the entire community. The Department receives funding through the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, The Children’s Trust, the National Endowment for the Arts, the State of Florida through the Florida Department of State, Florida Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Peacock Foundation, Inc. and The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation at The Miami Foundation. Other support and services are provided by TicketWeb for the Culture Shock Miami program, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, the South Florida Cultural Consortium and the Tourist Development Council.
Partner, Floridian Partners
First Vice Chairman
Affiliate Organizations
Culture Shock Miami provides access to the arts. Students ages 13-22 can buy tickets for only $5 to the best performances and two for $5 for museums in and around Miami-Dade. With the purchase of one $5 student ticket, a second $5 ticket can be purchased for an individual of any age to join them. It’s Easy … So Order Now!
Miami-Dade County Art in Public Places, a program of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, serves the community through the implementation of art installations dedicated to enriching the public environment and to preserving and enhancing the artistic and civic pride of Miami-Dade County. Miami-Dade Art in Public Places promotes collaboration and creative art projects that improve the visual quality of public spaces. These public art installations transform public spaces from ordinary civic areas to sites that can lift the spirit and connect with the community.
The African Heritage Cultural Arts Center formerly the Model City Cultural Arts Center opened in 1975 with funding support from the Model City Program initiated by President Lyndon B. Johnson. This regional facility of Miami-Dade County government Center has served South Florida communities for more than three decades. In 2011, The facility management transitions to the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, with funding support from the office of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.
Miami-Dade County Auditorium opened its doors in 1951. It has a splendid history as one of South Florida’s premiere performing arts center. Over the years it has hosted countless numbers of operas, symphonies, theater presentations, ballets, concerts, lectures, presidential candidates, graduations, naturalization services and a host of other programs of great community interest. This popular multipurpose theater features Art Deco Revival décor. Recently renovated, this state of the art facility has for decades served as the center for showcasing the diversity of our cultural life and celebrating the Hispanic arts community. The operation of Miami-Dade County Auditorium was transferred to the Department of Cultural Affairs in January 2012; the Department has a track record and reputation for innovation and artistic excellence.