The Bass is Miami Beach's art museum, housed in an Art Deco building from 1930 that has been sensitively expanded twice — most recently in 2017. The collection emphasises contemporary and modern art with a particular strength in works related to fashion, design, and the body, which gives it a distinctive identity among Florida's art institutions. John and Johanna Bass donated the founding collection in the 1960s; it has been expanded considerably since.
The permanent collection is complemented by thoughtful temporary exhibitions that draw on the museum's themes — it has commissioned or hosted significant shows examining gender, popular culture, and the intersection of fine art and consumer design. It is neither the largest nor the most famous art museum in South Florida, but it tends to be more interesting than its reputation suggests. Located in Collins Park, it is easy to combine with the nearby botanical garden and a walk along the Collins Waterfront District.