The Bass

The Bass is a contemporary art museum at 2100 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, Florida, housed in a 1930 coral-stone building next to Collins Park. The original building, in an Art Deco style, was expanded with a modern wing, and the combination of historic coral-stone architecture and contemporary galleries is part of the appeal. The museum presents rotating exhibitions of international contemporary art, often with a focus on installation, sculpture and works that engage the city, and the galleries are compact enough to take in during a relaxed visit. Outdoor works and the surrounding Collins Park, including the nearby library and cultural buildings, make for an enjoyable walk before or after. A visit takes about one to one and a half hours. Weekday afternoons are generally the quietest, while weekends and the Art Basel period in December draw more visitors. The museum is open Thursday to Sunday from about 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and hours are confirmed on thebass.org. Adult admission is about 15 USD, with students and seniors paying about 10 USD, and Miami Beach residents entering free. The free South Beach Trolley and the Miami Beach Loop both run nearby, and the museum is a short ride from Lincoln Road. Visitors who combine the museum with the beach, which is a few blocks east, can turn it into a half-day outing. The compact size also makes it an easy choice when a quick cultural stop is wanted between meals or beach time.