The South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center celebrated its grand opening in October after five years of construction. The effort to create the long-awaited $53 million center, managed by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, goes back several years, when leaders in the South Miami-Dade community began brainstorming how they would rebuild the area after Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992. A new arts center was on the list of plans.
Located in the neighborhood of Cutler Bay, the complex is comprised of two buildings designed by local architectural firm Arquitectonica. Decor elements include folded planes that wrap the glass facade, exposed steel and concrete, and Panelite-screened walls with punctures. The lobby area, which can be used for receptions, features two pieces by local artist Robert Chambers that showcase lighting in one and marble sculpture in another.
In the main building is the 966-seat main stage theater with stucco walls and velour curtains. The stage space includes a fly tower, orchestra pit, and front-of-the house and back-of-the-house spaces. Also in the main building, the 1,900-square-foot multipurpose black box theater can accommodate 129.
The activities building is broken up into three spaces: a lab theater, dance rehearsal studio, and a room for a future cafe. The 2,160-square-foot theater lab, another multipurpose space, can seat as many as 129 and be used for performances, rehearsals, or other intimate events. The dance studio features high ceilings, wood floors, sound and video systems, and more than 1,500 feet of space.
Linking the two buildings is the outdoor promenade for pre- and post-show receptions. For bigger events, the backyard lawn is available for buyout, accommodating more than 700 for events like concerts and festivals.
