About Vizcaya

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 317,000 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 28,000 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.
 
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.

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
Adam Wolman, Vice Chair
Terri Castellano, Secretary
Charles Seitz, Treasurer

DIRECTORS

Odilon Almeida
Lynn Atkinson
Donald Deubler
Marvin Dunn
Sandy Dorsainvil
Andres V. Gil
Christopher Hunt
Cathy Jones
Susan Kahn
Donald A. Kress
Lydia Lopez (ex officio)
Christy Martin
Nancy McCormick
Damian Pardo
Harry Tapias
Suzy Wahba
Ann Walters-Pope

HONORARY BOARD

Swanee DiMare
Maria Carla Chicuen
Mireille Chancy Gonzalez
Laura Munilla
William D. Robbins
Jeffrey Rynor

*updated January 17, 2024

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.

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

Vizcaya is an enduring, inclusive and innovative place that inspires people to embrace the cultural vitality and environmental sustainability of the world around us. 

CORE VALUES

  • INCLUSION: We welcome, respect and collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds, abilities and needs within and beyond our organization.
  • EXCELLENCE: We embrace reflection, learning and evaluation to develop innovative and impactful initiatives.
  • INTEGRITY: We are transparent, accountable, responsible and honest.
  • SUSTAINABILITY: We are environmentally conscious and promote sustainability and resiliency.
  • COMMITMENT: We are passionate about working together to preserve Vizcaya and inspire our community.
Close-up of rare orchids in a greenhouse setting with text promoting a behind-the-scenes tour at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

Visiting this Friday? Jump on this Exclusive Tour!

If you love orchids, you don’t miss this special behind-the-scenes tour on Friday, December 13, 11:30 a.m. Join Vizcaya’s own orchid specialist as we go inside the museum’s greenhouse to explore rare orchids and learn expert plant care tips.

Tickets are just $39 per person and include museum admission. Spots are limited, so reserve yours now!

Promo for Vizcaya's secret doors tour, featuring a grand building, lush gardens, and ornate interior details.

Visiting this Friday? Check out the Secret Doors Tour!

Join this intimate tour of the secret and hidden doors found throughout the estate. This guided experience is only available for a limited time.

Tickets are $49 per person and include museum admission for the day. Reserve your spot online while they last!