The Institute of Contemporary Art Miami’s recent acquisition of the building that once housed the de la Cruz Collection marks a significant turning point for the institution and the Miami art scene. This expansion, achieved through a $25 million purchase, not only extends the museum’s footprint by 30,000 square feet but also aligns with its mission of providing free access to cutting-edge art. For a museum that has only been open a decade yet already boasts over a million visitors, this move seems a natural progression—an affirmation of its role as a vital cultural hub.
At the center of this development is Alex Gartenfeld, the ICA’s artistic director, who sees the expansion as a “momentous occasion” for the institution. Beyond the pragmatic benefits of added space, the timing couldn’t be more symbolic: the acquisition coincides with the ICA’s 10-year anniversary, cementing its impact on the Miami art landscape.
Yet, the echoes of the building’s former life under Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz add a bittersweet note. The de la Cruz Collection, which was once a jewel in Miami’s art scene, closed its doors earlier this year following Rosa de la Cruz’s passing. The sale of works from their collection, which included masterpieces by Felix Gonzalez-Torres and Ana Mendieta, stirred controversy within Miami’s tight-knit art community. Carlos de la Cruz’s decision to auction off key works, rather than maintain the collection, was met with mixed reactions, and many viewed it as a loss for the city’s cultural fabric.
However, Carlos’s public endorsement of the ICA’s expansion, stating he was “happy to have helped the ICA grow,” tempers the controversy. It suggests a willingness to see Miami’s art institutions flourish, even as the city loses one of its landmark collections.
The ICA’s new building will also offer the opportunity to finally showcase a portion of its permanent collection, much of which has remained hidden from public view. As Gartenfeld noted, the expanded space allows the institution to tell “a story about our community.” This story—of transformation, loss, growth, and cultural evolution—reflects the complexities of Miami’s art scene today, where the legacy of figures like Rosa de la Cruz continues to shape the future.
