Art of Black Miami Spotlight

In a destination fueled by global cultures, Art of Black Miami (AOBM) is a powerful celebration of Black art throughout Greater Miami & Miami Beach. Originally launched by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau’s department of Multicultural Tourism & Development to fill a representation gap, AOBM has evolved into a year-round platform that connects artists, locals and visitors through community events, immersive exhibits and performances. Celebrating 11 years of elevating and commemorating Black Miami artists, AOBM is reshaping how art lovers experience Black art in the destination and how artists see themselves as a key part of the local community.

A Look Into Art of Black Miami

AOBM was founded in 2014 with a clear vision: to create a premier art experience that lets visitors see Miami through the lens of culture, diversifies the destination’s art scene and spotlights Black artists who were historically overlooked. The program started as a localized effort to bring Black art into the spotlight during Miami Art Week and Art Basel Miami Beach. The launch of AOBM helped bring Black art to the forefront during a pivotal time when thousands of locals and tourists were exploring the destination and looking for all things art.

During Art Basel season, AOBM activates art events in collaboration with art organizations, galleries and creative spaces, like LOUD Week (Love of Urban Design) and the AfriKin Art Fair.

Over the past decade, AOBM has expanded to showcase Black culture through visual art, music, film and other creative expressions all year long. It plays a pivotal role in shaping the destination’s cultural identity by allowing organizations, nonprofits and artists to see themselves as a vital part of the community.

As AOBM commemorates its 11th anniversary, the initiative’s long-lasting impact on Miami is clear. By connecting the dots between artists, locals and visitors, AOBM has revitalized Miami’s cultural landscape by showcasing the work of hundreds of Black artists to foster an appreciation of the diversity and richness of Black art. Now more than ever, Black artists have a platform where they can share their stories, inspire audiences and connect with the broader community through curated exhibitions, fairs, performances and events.

Art of Black Miami Through The Past 11 Years

In the past decade, AOBM has grown into a driving force in Miami’s cultural scene. By bridging the gaps in the local art community, AOBM has curated opportunities for collaboration among neighborhoods that once had minimal overlap. 

The program began in four pillar communities: Little Haiti, Coconut Grove, Little Havana and Historic Overtown. Over ten years later, it has expanded to showcase Black art events across various neighborhoods throughout the entire destination. In 2025, AOBM deepened its roots in areas like Miami Gardens, Homestead and North Miami.

With support from the City of Miami Gardens, LOUD Week, December 1-6, 2025, is an official AOBM event that’s gaining traction as a multidisciplinary festival blending art, fashion and entrepreneurship. LOUD Week is part of a growing effort to bring Black art to new corners of the destination during Miami Art Week. Petra Brennan, GMCVB’s senior director of Multicultural Tourism & Development, calls AOBM a cultural force that’s bringing visitors to various neighborhoods.

AOBM has also supported the annual three-day Umbrellas of Little Havana art festival by providing critical exposure to Black and Latino artists who otherwise might not have had an opportunity to showcase their work. AOBM’s support has enabled Umbrellas of Little Havana to host many events throughout the year.

Thanks to AOBM, local Black artists who were once unknown outside of Miami are now building national and international recognition. More than ever, Black Miami artists are included in major events like Art Basel Miami Beach, helping them connect with broader audiences and gain access to new economic opportunities through AOBM’s intentional partnerships.

With numerous success stories, AOBM has created opportunities for artists to create iconic murals around the destination. Other artists have expanded their portfolios to showcase their work in prominent galleries, art festivals and conventions nationwide. The growing ecosystem of creative entrepreneurs is also broadening its offerings to include cultural art tours, pop-up shows and fashion-meets-art showcases.

The Future of Art of Black Miami

AOBM has ambitious goals for the next decade and beyond, with a clear focus on furthering its support of Black artists’ growth and success. AOBM will continue elevating artists, providing them with the resources, tools and connections to thrive in Miami’s growing arts and culture scene.

AOBM has made an economic impact in the local community. The connection between art and the local economy is a key focus for AOBM so the program can continue supporting artists and contribute to the broader success of the destination.

One of the key areas of development for AOBM is deepening relationships with local businesses. A success story that highlights the power of collaborations is the partnership between AOBM and the Kimpton EPIC Hotel in Downtown Miami. The hotel launched EPIC Art, its artist-in-residency program, in November 2021 to elevate the artwork of local artists and connect hotel guests to the Miami art scene. 

Kimpton EPIC Hotel aimed to diversify its art collection, partnering with AOBM to identify artists for its program. The collaboration supports artists in refining their creative vision and also connects organizations with diverse talents to promote inclusivity in the arts.  

Explore More: Art of Black Miami Podcast Series

The Art of Black Miami podcast series provides a platform for local Black artists to share their work and stories and connect with new audiences.

Airing monthly from April to September, the podcast offers listeners an intimate look into the creative journeys of the destination’s artistic community. Since its inception, the AOBM podcast has grown into a creative outlet for emerging and established artists to highlight how Miami shapes their work. The 2025 podcast season included creatives like Haitian filmmaker and visual artist Dudley Alexis, Afro Latina artist and curator Lauryn M. Lawrence, and the Ten North Group to honor its work centered around African diasporic art.

As Art of Black Miami celebrates more than a decade of elevating Black artists, the movement is just getting started. Whether through murals, exhibitions or personal stories shared on the Art of Black Miami podcast series, AOBM is an invitation to locals and visitors alike to explore, engage and be a part of the destination’s growing Black art scene.

Discover more Art of Black Miami events.