It has been a decade since Franklin Sirmans stepped into his role as director of a museum shaped by the largest Argentine-American cultural donation ever made in the USA, courtesy of billionaire developer Jorge M. Pérez. Over the past 10 years, Franklin has expanded the museum’s gift base by drawing in African-American wealth and appealing to Gen X elites and Hip-Hop billionaires, all while maintaining genuine friendships within the art world and beyond. Despite the demands of fundraising and endless meetings, he has never stopped enjoying the creative aspects of his role, like curating and writing.
Miami winters are balmy, sparkly, gaudy affairs – the time of year when even the fruit and flowers show off tropical colours, shapes and sizes. Snowbirds make it to Miami for Art Basel in December, but the coldest month is February – the perfect time to be in the warmer southern state. February is also when Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) hosts the hottest party, the Art + Soul Celebration, an annual event that supports the PAMM Fund for Black Art. This year honouring director and chief curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem, Thelma Golden.
Source: World Red Eye
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‘No one has had a greater impact on the history of American art in the last three decades than this year’s honoree, whose resolute focus on Black Art has changed the fields of art history and cultural criticism.’ says Franklin of Thelma.
Notably, Golden joined the Barack Obama Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2024 and was listed in Time’s list of 100 most influential people. ‘It is truly an honour to recognise her singular and ongoing achievements in the world of art and culture and beyond’ says Franklin with warmth and genuine affection.
Since 2025 marks Franklin’s 10th year as PAMM Director, it’s also the perfect time to reflect on his cultural impact as a museum Director. Among Franklin’s many friends and fans is Rosie Gordon-Wallace, Founder, President, and Curator of Miami’s Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator (DVCAI), whose dynamic engagement with the mainland and Caribbean islands amplifies creative talent across multiple platforms.
“I simply love the direction and commitment the museum has taken to serve an international community which includes the Caribbean community. To programme contemporary art from the PAMM collection, while being nimble and thoughtful with on-site projects and a deep focus on the lives of contemporary artists. The challenge our director has is staying relevant to the needs of this complex and diverse community while curatorially pushing the boundaries of the global tales,” says Rosie. “Franklin has led with quiet grace and efficiency for the past ten years. He has explored themes of cultural equity, institutional listening, radical openness, getting real with staff issues, gender bias, and Caribbean initiatives while meeting people from artist communities nationwide. All this in what I feel it is a lonely position to hold. In our political era, resisting ‘the ordinary’ and creating the extraordinary is remarkable,” she adds.
Rosie notes that Franklin, who is known for his humour, sense of style, and approachable networking style well-suited to Miami’s diverse community, prioritises family while still cultivating genuine, everyday friendships. “The time has flown, and his work in a churning world is remarkable. I have profound gratitude to Franklin for attracting global artists and speakers whom I would never have met in regular art life. This is not common. We are fortunate to have Franklin Sirmans at the helm of our beautiful museum. I wish we were millionaires,” Rosie adds.
If only one of South Africa’s billionaires could extend similar generosity to the struggling Johannesburg Art Gallery and its remarkable collection, which belongs to all of us. What an extraordinary legacy that would be.
