José Carlos Diaz Named Chief Curator at PAMM Miami

The Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) has appointed José Carlos Diaz as its new senior director of curatorial affairs and chief curator. Diaz will begin his new role on October 13. He takes over from Gilbert Vicario, who left the institution in February of this year. Diaz brings extensive experience from his previous position at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM), where he served as deputy director of art.

This appointment marks a return to Miami for Diaz, who previously worked at PAMM when it was known as the Miami Art Museum. His new leadership is expected to influence PAMM's collection growth and exhibition strategy, focusing on global perspectives and diverse art forms.

Leadership Transition at Pérez Art Museum Miami

José Carlos Diaz will assume his new duties at PAMM in mid-October. His role will involve overseeing the museum's curatorial programs and strategies. The previous chief curator, Gilbert Vicario, departed PAMM earlier this year, creating this vacancy.

Diaz's appointment follows a period of significant activity at his former institution. At the Seattle Art Museum, he was responsible for curatorial programs across SAM, the Seattle Asian Art Museum, and the Olympic Sculpture Park. He played a key role in major initiatives and exhibitions.

Impact at Seattle Art Museum

During his tenure at SAM, Diaz led the rollout of the “Calder at SAM” initiative. This project leveraged a substantial gift from Jon and Kim Shirley. The gift included 48 works by Alexander Calder, valued at $200 million, received in 2023.

Diaz also curated the exhibition “Calder: In Motion, The Shirley Family Collection” in 2023–24. This exhibition showcased the newly acquired Calder works. His curatorial efforts at SAM also included solo shows for artist Anila Quayyum Agha and a long-term installation by the art collective FriendsWithYou. He also served as the institutional curator for traveling exhibitions featuring Suchitra Mattai and Hokusai.

A Return to Roots in Miami

For José Carlos Diaz, this new position at PAMM is a homecoming. He is a Miami native. His early career included work at the institution when it was known as the Miami Art Museum. He also completed a curatorial internship at the Rubell Collection (now the Rubell Museum) in the early 2000s.

During this period, Diaz founded Worm-Hole Laboratory. This was an alternative art space he ran from his apartment. This early venture showcased his innovative approach to art presentation and community engagement.

“Miami has changed so much,” Diaz told ARTnews. “The city has certainly grown, artists have moved there, and a new generation of artists have developed since two decades ago when Art Basel started. One of the success stories is that it’s become this sophisticated art metropolis.”

Diaz returned to Miami previously to work as curator of exhibitions at the Bass Museum of Art from 2013 to 2016. Before that, he held curatorial roles at Tate Liverpool and the Liverpool Biennial, gaining international experience.

Leadership at Andy Warhol Museum

In 2016, Diaz was appointed chief curator at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. He remained there for six years, overseeing significant exhibitions and programs. His work at the Warhol Museum further solidified his reputation as a respected figure in the curatorial field. This experience preceded his move to the Seattle Art Museum in 2022.

Vision for PAMM's Future

Franklin Sirmans, PAMM's director, expressed enthusiasm for Diaz's appointment. Sirmans believes Diaz will bring a “fresh eye and vision” to the museum. He described Diaz as an “incredibly well-rounded curator” who is “generous in terms of his curatorial leadership.”

Sirmans added that Diaz “has a unique vantage point in thinking about what Miami needs from what we like to believe is its flagship institution, PAMM.”

Diaz has specific interests for PAMM. He aims to grow the museum's collection, which has expanded steadily over the past six years. The museum now holds 3,500 objects. A key strength of PAMM's collection is its focus on Latin American and Latinx art, particularly from the Caribbean region.

Sirmans commented on the collection's growth, stating, “It’s growing rapidly, and José’s wisdom and guidance is going to be the exciting part about how that collection evolves.” He concluded, “I can’t think of anyone better to think through those things together and with José at this point in time.”

Expanding Curatorial Horizons

From a curatorial standpoint, Diaz emphasizes a “global perspective” for PAMM’s exhibitions. He is particularly interested in conversations about art from the Global South, an area where PAMM has a strong history. This focus aligns with the museum's existing strengths and mission.

Diaz also aims to broaden the types of exhibitions PAMM offers. He is interested in including displays that are not solely focused on fine art. This could involve exploring areas such as fashion, design, and architecture. Such an approach would diversify the museum's appeal and engage a wider audience.

• Global Perspective: Focus on art from the Global South.
• Diverse Exhibitions: Include fashion, design, and architecture.
• Community Hub: Position PAMM as a social and programmatic space.

Diaz views an institution like PAMM as a “third space.” This means it serves as a place where people can gather not just for art, but also for social interactions and programmatic events. He envisions activities like music, dancing, and yoga taking place at the museum.

His goal is to make art experiences as accessible and welcoming as possible. This philosophy aims to integrate the museum more deeply into the daily lives of the community. Franklin Sirmans supports this vision.

Sirmans stated, “José brings something to the conversation that so many are interested in, in terms of how we talk about art in a global fashion [and] how can we make art more a part of people’s lives on a day-to-day basis here.”

This approach seeks to connect art with broader cultural and social activities, making PAMM a dynamic center for the community.