Miami may not be doing a great job of supporting its local artists financially. But when it comes to supporting the arts in general, this town seems to be doing just fine.
Miami Dolphins and Sun Life Stadium owner Stephen M. Ross, who also happens to be chairman, chief executive officer and founder of Related Companies, announced at the Miami Art Museum's corporate luncheon on Friday that he will donate $1 million to the Museum Park facility under development in downtown Miami. The gift will help fund the new Perez Art Museum Miami, or PAMM, as the Miami Art Museum will be called when it reopens at the new location in 2013.
Ross is the founder of real estate firm Related Companies, one of the largest developers in Miami. His gift makes him the second Related-related major benefactor of PAMM, the first, obviously, being Jorge Perez, whose $35 million donation earned him the right to put his name on the building, over objections from many in the arts community.
"On behalf of the museum and the audiences we serve throughout Miami-Dade County, I want to express our gratitude to Steve Ross for his generosity," said Thom Collins, MAM's director. "MAM is a focal point for the incredible cultural diversity throughout the region--a region Steve knows well. His gift, along with the many others that have supported our campaign, makes it possible for us to expand on the ways in which we tap into the city's tremendous artistic energy."
No word yet on whether there'll be a "Ross Wing" of the new facility.
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