About Vizcaya Museum and Gardens | History & Heritage
Source: https://vizcaya.org/about-vizcaya
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:11
About Vizcaya Museum and Gardens | History & Heritage
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About Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a vibrant cultural hub in the heart of Miami, a space where history, nature, and art converge. One of Miami’s most treasured landmarks, Vizcaya features a Main House with with original furnishings in 34 rooms, ten acres of meticulously landscaped gardens, as well as the historic Vizcaya Village.
A National Historic Landmark and accredited museum, Vizcaya welcomes over 385,900 visitors annually from around the globe. The estate offers dynamic public and educational programs, including the Contemporary Arts Program, community events, and school partnerships that impact over 5,000 K-12 students each year.
Vizcaya’s commitment to the community is reflected in its diverse public offerings, such as the weekly Vizcaya Village Farmers Market, which attracts approximately 33,800 visitors annually, and various free or reduced-admission programs for children, students and underserved groups. In 2024, the museum received the American Public Gardens Association’s Sustainability Award for innovative sustainability practices.
The museum is managed by Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Vizcaya is more than a museum; it is a cultural oasis where history comes alive, inviting guests to explore and engage with its rich heritage and inspiring beauty.
Committed to Sustainability |
As part of Vizcaya Village’s Phase 2 development, our new facilities are designed to meet
Leed
certification standards, reflecting our commitment to environmental stewardship. Check out the
Case Study to learn more
.
View Document
Vizcaya’s Executive Director/CEO Dr. Joel M. Hoffman has been leading the organization since 2004. With a distinguished career in the museum sector, Dr. Hoffman has consistently strived to make visual arts and history captivating and accessible to a wide range of audiences. Before his tenure at Vizcaya, Dr. Hoffman served as Vice Director for Education and Program Development at the Brooklyn Museum of Art in New York and as Associate Director at The Wolfsonian-Florida International University in Miami Beach.
He holds a doctorate in art history from Yale University and an undergraduate degree in English literature from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed a six-year term on the Board of Directors of the American Alliance of Museums, further solidifying his commitment to advancing the field.
Vizcaya is operated by the non-profit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust, Inc. and owned and supported by Miami-Dade County. The Board and staff are committed to advancing Vizcaya’s role as a place of scholarship and dialogue that contributes to the vitality and sustainability of our community.
Vizcaya’s mission is to preserve the estate’s cultural and environmental resources to engage people in connecting with the past, understanding the present and shaping the future.
Officers
Ken O’Keefe, Chair
Charles Seitz, Vice Chair
Lynn Atkinson, Secretary
Andres V. Gil, Treasurer
Directors
Brett Abess
Odilon Almeida
Ricardo Caporal
Terri Castellano
Marvin Dunn
Shawn Fagan
Christopher Hunt
Susan Kahn
Donald A. Kress
Lydia Lopez (ex officio)
Christy Martin
Nancy McCormick
Adam Mopsick
Damian Pardo
Mercedes Romero
Harry Tapias
Suzy Wahba
Ann Walters-Pope
Adam Wolman
Honorary Board
Swanee DiMare
Mireille Chancy Gonzalez
Cathy L. Jones*
Laura Munilla
William D. Robbins
Jeffrey Rynor
* In Memoriam
*updated January 7, 2026
The mission
Preserving Vizcaya’s cultural and environmental resources to engage people in connecting with the past, understanding the present and shaping the future.
The vision
“A Home for Miami, An Inspiration for All”
In the coming decades, we will continue to restore and unify our campus, transform our storytelling, and open our home to all through free public spaces and interactive programs.
Our enriched and accessible experiences will explore Miami’s evolving cultural and natural vitality through Vizcaya’s singular lens. Visitors will be inspired by the multidimensional narratives that make this treasured place both a mirror of our city’s past and a catalyst for a shared sustainable future.
Core values
Equity and Inclusion
: We welcome, respect and treat fairly people of all backgrounds, abilities and needs.
Social Responsibility and Relevance
: We are committed to supporting the needs and interests of our local community.
Collaboration and Innovation
: We value the opinions of others, we embrace creativity and new ideas and we pursue them with rigor and purpose.
Preservation and Resiliency
: We protect, maintain and enhance Vizcaya’s cultural resources in an evolving context and climate.
Environmental Sustainability
: We prioritize environmental responsibility in our operations and programs.
Integrity
: We are transparent, responsible and reliable.
Financial Sustainability
: We ensure Vizcaya’s financial health by stewarding its finances through broad based and diversified support
More from Vizcaya
From serial programs to community initiatives, check out what’s happening at Vizcaya with the stories below.
From Farm to Tropics: Vizcaya’s Dinner for Farmers Returns with a Taste of the Caribbean
MIAMI – Mar. 11, 2026 – Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, in partnership with Urban Health Partnership, Food and Nutrition for All Collaborative (FNFA) and Overtown…
Read More
Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon Raises $670,000 for Historic Preservation in Miami
MIAMI – March 5, 2026 – Vizcaya Museum and Gardens raised $670,000 during its 18th Annual Preservation Luncheon, held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, bringing…
Read More
Vizcaya Welcomes María Carla Chicuén as Associate Executive Director and Chief Strategy & Collaboration Officer
MIAMI — February 24, 2026 — Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is thrilled to announce the appointment of María Carla Chicuén as Associate Executive Director and…
Read More
Request for Proposals: Brand Consultant
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens invites qualified public relations agencies to submit proposals for a temporary, project-based engagement focused on brand and messaging strategy, Vizcaya Village…
Read More
The 18th Annual Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon Welcomes Fashion-Forward Donors on March 3
MIAMI – January 30, 2026 –It’s back! South Florida’s philanthropic society comes together for the Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon, a Miami tradition that celebrates history, fashion,…
Read More
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Named a 2025 Miami-Dade Favorite
MIAMI — December 17, 2025 — We’re proud to share that Vizcaya Museum and Gardens has been recognized as “Gold Best Museum” in the 2025…
Read More
The 68th Annual Vizcaya Ball Sets Sail with“Voyage to Vizcaya: A Caravel Dream”
MIAMI–November 24, 2025–On Saturday, November 22, 2025, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens welcomed approximately 400 guests of Miami’s leading philanthropists and cultural supporters to the 68th…
Read More
A New Chapter for Vizcaya Village
The Vizcaya Village was the working part of the estate and we are revitalizing it to tell new stories about our community’s history and to…
Read More
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Announces Landmark $20 Million Gift from Ken Griffin and Extraordinary Opportunity to Provide Public Access to Historic Villa Serena in Vizcaya Village
Historic commitment accelerates Vizcaya’s visionto revitalize Vizcaya Village and could open Villa Serena to the public for the first time in 111 years MIAMI, Nov….
Read More
Growing Together: How Urban Farming Strengthens Our Community
Read More
Skip to content
About Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a vibrant cultural hub in the heart of Miami, a space where history, nature, and art converge. One of Miami’s most treasured landmarks, Vizcaya features a Main House with with original furnishings in 34 rooms, ten acres of meticulously landscaped gardens, as well as the historic Vizcaya Village.
A National Historic Landmark and accredited museum, Vizcaya welcomes over 385,900 visitors annually from around the globe. The estate offers dynamic public and educational programs, including the Contemporary Arts Program, community events, and school partnerships that impact over 5,000 K-12 students each year.
Vizcaya’s commitment to the community is reflected in its diverse public offerings, such as the weekly Vizcaya Village Farmers Market, which attracts approximately 33,800 visitors annually, and various free or reduced-admission programs for children, students and underserved groups. In 2024, the museum received the American Public Gardens Association’s Sustainability Award for innovative sustainability practices.
The museum is managed by Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Vizcaya is more than a museum; it is a cultural oasis where history comes alive, inviting guests to explore and engage with its rich heritage and inspiring beauty.
Committed to Sustainability |
As part of Vizcaya Village’s Phase 2 development, our new facilities are designed to meet
Leed
certification standards, reflecting our commitment to environmental stewardship. Check out the
Case Study to learn more
.
View Document
Vizcaya’s Executive Director/CEO Dr. Joel M. Hoffman has been leading the organization since 2004. With a distinguished career in the museum sector, Dr. Hoffman has consistently strived to make visual arts and history captivating and accessible to a wide range of audiences. Before his tenure at Vizcaya, Dr. Hoffman served as Vice Director for Education and Program Development at the Brooklyn Museum of Art in New York and as Associate Director at The Wolfsonian-Florida International University in Miami Beach.
He holds a doctorate in art history from Yale University and an undergraduate degree in English literature from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed a six-year term on the Board of Directors of the American Alliance of Museums, further solidifying his commitment to advancing the field.
Vizcaya is operated by the non-profit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust, Inc. and owned and supported by Miami-Dade County. The Board and staff are committed to advancing Vizcaya’s role as a place of scholarship and dialogue that contributes to the vitality and sustainability of our community.
Vizcaya’s mission is to preserve the estate’s cultural and environmental resources to engage people in connecting with the past, understanding the present and shaping the future.
Officers
Ken O’Keefe, Chair
Charles Seitz, Vice Chair
Lynn Atkinson, Secretary
Andres V. Gil, Treasurer
Directors
Brett Abess
Odilon Almeida
Ricardo Caporal
Terri Castellano
Marvin Dunn
Shawn Fagan
Christopher Hunt
Susan Kahn
Donald A. Kress
Lydia Lopez (ex officio)
Christy Martin
Nancy McCormick
Adam Mopsick
Damian Pardo
Mercedes Romero
Harry Tapias
Suzy Wahba
Ann Walters-Pope
Adam Wolman
Honorary Board
Swanee DiMare
Mireille Chancy Gonzalez
Cathy L. Jones*
Laura Munilla
William D. Robbins
Jeffrey Rynor
* In Memoriam
*updated January 7, 2026
The mission
Preserving Vizcaya’s cultural and environmental resources to engage people in connecting with the past, understanding the present and shaping the future.
The vision
“A Home for Miami, An Inspiration for All”
In the coming decades, we will continue to restore and unify our campus, transform our storytelling, and open our home to all through free public spaces and interactive programs.
Our enriched and accessible experiences will explore Miami’s evolving cultural and natural vitality through Vizcaya’s singular lens. Visitors will be inspired by the multidimensional narratives that make this treasured place both a mirror of our city’s past and a catalyst for a shared sustainable future.
Core values
Equity and Inclusion
: We welcome, respect and treat fairly people of all backgrounds, abilities and needs.
Social Responsibility and Relevance
: We are committed to supporting the needs and interests of our local community.
Collaboration and Innovation
: We value the opinions of others, we embrace creativity and new ideas and we pursue them with rigor and purpose.
Preservation and Resiliency
: We protect, maintain and enhance Vizcaya’s cultural resources in an evolving context and climate.
Environmental Sustainability
: We prioritize environmental responsibility in our operations and programs.
Integrity
: We are transparent, responsible and reliable.
Financial Sustainability
: We ensure Vizcaya’s financial health by stewarding its finances through broad based and diversified support
More from Vizcaya
From serial programs to community initiatives, check out what’s happening at Vizcaya with the stories below.
From Farm to Tropics: Vizcaya’s Dinner for Farmers Returns with a Taste of the Caribbean
MIAMI – Mar. 11, 2026 – Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, in partnership with Urban Health Partnership, Food and Nutrition for All Collaborative (FNFA) and Overtown…
Read More
Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon Raises $670,000 for Historic Preservation in Miami
MIAMI – March 5, 2026 – Vizcaya Museum and Gardens raised $670,000 during its 18th Annual Preservation Luncheon, held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, bringing…
Read More
Vizcaya Welcomes María Carla Chicuén as Associate Executive Director and Chief Strategy & Collaboration Officer
MIAMI — February 24, 2026 — Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is thrilled to announce the appointment of María Carla Chicuén as Associate Executive Director and…
Read More
Request for Proposals: Brand Consultant
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens invites qualified public relations agencies to submit proposals for a temporary, project-based engagement focused on brand and messaging strategy, Vizcaya Village…
Read More
The 18th Annual Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon Welcomes Fashion-Forward Donors on March 3
MIAMI – January 30, 2026 –It’s back! South Florida’s philanthropic society comes together for the Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon, a Miami tradition that celebrates history, fashion,…
Read More
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Named a 2025 Miami-Dade Favorite
MIAMI — December 17, 2025 — We’re proud to share that Vizcaya Museum and Gardens has been recognized as “Gold Best Museum” in the 2025…
Read More
The 68th Annual Vizcaya Ball Sets Sail with“Voyage to Vizcaya: A Caravel Dream”
MIAMI–November 24, 2025–On Saturday, November 22, 2025, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens welcomed approximately 400 guests of Miami’s leading philanthropists and cultural supporters to the 68th…
Read More
A New Chapter for Vizcaya Village
The Vizcaya Village was the working part of the estate and we are revitalizing it to tell new stories about our community’s history and to…
Read More
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Announces Landmark $20 Million Gift from Ken Griffin and Extraordinary Opportunity to Provide Public Access to Historic Villa Serena in Vizcaya Village
Historic commitment accelerates Vizcaya’s visionto revitalize Vizcaya Village and could open Villa Serena to the public for the first time in 111 years MIAMI, Nov….
Read More
Growing Together: How Urban Farming Strengthens Our Community
Read More