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American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora

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Coordinates: 25°45′03″N 80°12′51″W / 25.7508°N 80.2143°W / 25.7508; -80.2143
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American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora
American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora in Miami, Florida
Map
Established1996 (1996)
Location1200 Coral Way, Miami, Florida 33145
Coordinates25°45′03″N 80°12′51″W / 25.7508°N 80.2143°W / 25.7508; -80.2143
FounderDr. Ofelia Tabares, Luis Botifoll, Hilario Candela
Websitethecuban.org

The American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora or The Cuban, is a Miami, Florida museum dedicated to the history and culture of those who left Cuba due to the rise of communism.[1] The museum was established to preserve and promote the artistic, historical, and cultural contributions of Cubans living abroad, primarily focusing on those who settled in the United States following the Cuban Revolution of 1959.[2] The Cuban serves as a cultural hub and educational space in Miami, offering exhibits and showcasing Cuban heritage through the arts.[3]

Founding

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The Cuban was established in 1996 by Dr. Ofelia Tabares[4] and other Cuban-American community leaders, such as banker Luis Botifoll[5] and architect Hilario Candela.[6] Its founding mission was to document and present the stories of the Cuban diaspora.

The museum's exhibitions feature both historical artifacts and contemporary art, aiming to provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the struggles and achievements of Cuban exiles. The museum serves as both a cultural hub and an educational space, offering rotating exhibitions, permanent collections, and public programs related to Cuban heritage.[7] According to the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the museum showcases Cuban cultural heritage through "music, dance, literature, history, theater, and the plastic arts."[8]

The Cuban first operated as "museum without walls," meaning it had no set location.[9] The museum opened its Miami building at 1200 Coral Way with a soft launch in 2016 and a grand opening in September 2018.[10]

Mission

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The Cuban is dedicated to sharing the history and culture of exiles who left Cuba due to the rise of communism. Its permanent exhibit is about the history of Cuba and of Cuban exiles.[10]

The museum also houses temporary exhibitions. In 2018, it opened the largest Celia Cruz museum exhibit to date, titled "Forever Celia" and encompassing six decades of the musician's life.[11] The museum's 2021 exhibit, "Operation Pedro Pan: The Cuban Children's Exodus," recounted the story of more than 14,000 children who escaped Cuba without their parents between the years 1960 and 1962.[10] The exhibit showed what life was like for Cuban children at the time, specifically regarding family, school, and religion, in addition to highlighting their escape from totalitarian forced re-education to come to the United States.[12]

The Cuban is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization.[13] It was established with funds from the Building Better Communities bond program and received financial support from Miami-Dade County.[10] The museum continues to receive support from the local community and Cuban-American cultural advocates, who value its role in preserving their unique history and identity.[14][15]

In August 2024, Miami's Cuban exile community nominated Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado for the Nobel Peace Prize at the museum.[16] Machado was proposed for her "brave fight in defense of democracy and human rights in Venezuela."[17]

In December 2024, the museum opened a new exhibit that immerses visitors in the brutality of the Castro regime and tells the story of those who fled Cuba.[18] Known as "The Cuban Experience," the exhibit features hundreds of artifacts, pictures, and videos, as well as immersive installations like a simulated execution wall and recreated prison cells.[19]

Leadership

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In 2018, Marcell Felipe was elected chairman of the museum's board.[20] He was re-elected as board chair in 2019.[21]

References

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  1. ^ "HBS Club of South Florida Event - A Behind the Scenes Look: American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora". hcmiami.clubs.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  2. ^ "Ileana Fuentes apuesta por la cultura de la diáspora cubana". diariolasamericas.com (in Spanish). 2016-11-18. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  3. ^ "American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora". Greater Miami & Miami Beach. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  4. ^ "Ofelia Fernandez Obituary". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  5. ^ "Botifoll, Luis". Cubans in America (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  6. ^ "Articles of Incorporation". search.sunbiz.org. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  7. ^ "The Cuban Museum - Miami FL | Unique Venues". Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  8. ^ "Cuban Museum | Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs". www.miamidadearts.org. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  9. ^ Hanks, Douglas (February 14, 2019). "For Cuban exile museum, a prime waterfront location yanked back by Miami-Dade". Miami Herald. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d "Year after debut, American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora plans opening". Miami Today. 2018-03-27. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  11. ^ Cantor-Navas, Judy (2018-08-20). "Largest Celia Cruz Exhibition Set for Miami Run in October: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  12. ^ Crespo, Hatzel Vela, Veronica (2021-03-23). "Local museum commemorates 60th anniversary of Operation Pedro Pan with special exhibit". WPLG. Retrieved 2024-10-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ "American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora". artagenda (in German). Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  14. ^ "Miami Proud: The American Museum Of The Cuban Diaspora Shares The History Of Those Who Left". cbsnews.com. 2021-09-23. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  15. ^ Viglucci, Andres (January 30, 2019). "Miami's Cuban museum got $10 million in public money. It's now embroiled in a nasty spat". Miami Herald.
  16. ^ "Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado will be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize". CiberCuba. 2024-08-16. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  17. ^ "Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado will be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize". CiberCuba. 2024-08-16. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  18. ^ Vassolo, Martin (2024-12-10). "Cuban history museum opens new exhibit". Axios. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  19. ^ Vassolo, Martin (2024-12-10). "Cuban history museum opens new exhibit". Axios. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  20. ^ Tavel, Jimena. "DeSantis taps two trustees to stay at Miami Dade College". The Miami Herald.
  21. ^ Cohen, Howard. "The fight for control of Miami's Cuban museum ends with a familiar face in charge". The Miami Herald.
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