Franklin Sirmans
Sandra and Tony Tamer Director
Conexión con Miami
Sirmans has deepened PAMM's ties to Miami's diverse communities by prioritizing Caribbean and Latin American artists, launching the Latin American and Latinx Art Fund in 2018, and strengthening groups like the PAMM Fund for Black Art and International Women’s Committee. His vision positions PAMM as 'the people’s museum' reflecting a Miami lens, expanding education to over 70,000 students, growing membership to 9,000 households, and making it a key mainland destination during Art Basel. Exhibitions like Gary Simmons and Chicana Body highlight local cultural dialogues.
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Born in New York City and raised in Harlem, Albany, and New Rochelle, Franklin Sirmans earned degrees in English and Art History from Wesleyan University, writing his honors thesis on Jean-Michel Basquiat. His career highlights include roles as curator at the Menil Collection in Houston, Department Head and Curator of Contemporary Art at LACMA where he organized exhibitions like Noah Purifoy: Junk Dada and Fútbol: The Beautiful Game, and Artistic Director of the 2014 Prospect New Orleans biennial. Sirmans joined PAMM in 2015 following an international search, bringing expertise from major institutions to lead the museum post its Herzog & de Meuron building opening. Under his nearly decade-long tenure, he has overseen over a thousand acquisitions, navigated challenges like 2020 with innovative digital programs, and continues as the Sandra and Tony Tamer Director.