Oolite Arts

Founded by the late potter and visionary Ellie Schneiderman, Oolite Arts began as the South Florida Art Center, providing affordable studio and exhibition spaces for Miami's visual artists. Schneiderman's initiative transformed vacant storefronts on Lincoln Road into artist studios, catalyzing the area's revitalization and fostering a thriving arts community. Her guiding principle was to "help artists help themselves," a mission that continues to drive Oolite Arts today. 

Oolite Arts helps Miami-based artists advance their careers and inspires the cultural community to engage with their work. Established in 1984, Oolite Arts is both a community and a resource, providing visual artists with the studio space, exhibition opportunities and financial support they need to experiment, grow and enrich the city. Through its educational programming, Oolite Arts helps Miamians learn about contemporary art and develop their own artistic skills.

Exhibitions and programs at Oolite Arts are made possible with support from the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; the City of Miami Beach Department of Tourism and Cultural Development, Office of Cultural Affairs, and the Miami Beach Mayor and City Commissioners; the State of Florida, Florida Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Arts Council; The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation at The Miami Foundation; and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Additional support provided by Walgreens Company.

Oolite Arts Annual Impact & Programs

• Residencies

  • 13 year-long Studio Art Residencies, each with a $1,000/month housing stipend.

  • 4 Cinematic Arts Residencies (3 continuing, 1 new), with the new resident receiving $50,000 in project funding.

  • 5 Home + Away Residencies, sending 32 artists to top programs across the U.S. and abroad (Atlantic Center, MASS MoCA, Artpace).

• Exhibitions & Public Art

  • 4 exhibitions annually at the 924 Lincoln Rd gallery (free admission, open daily), with printed materials, public openings, performances, and lectures.

  • 8 Windows @ Walgreens exhibitions each year, on view 24/7 at two Miami Beach locations, with opening events.

  • 2 site-specific installations annually at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Skolnick Surgical Tower (175 ft x 12 ft lobby wall).

  • 1 annual catalog featuring a resident artist.

  • Open studios during each exhibition opening (4/year).

• Film & Talks

  • Art Films series: 4 screenings/year at O Cinema South Beach, including Q&A with directors and actors.

  • Talks Miami: 6 visiting curator lectures from leading U.S. institutions, with free public talks and studio visits with residents and local artists.

• Education & Professional Development

  • 400+ affordable art courses annually for youth and adults at 924 Lincoln Rd, taught by local artists, residents, and alumni.

  • LED Arts program: career planning for junior and senior high school art students.

  • Skills: 7 professional development workshops/year for artists and filmmakers.

• Community Reach

  • Approx. 11,000 people/year attend Oolite’s free and low-cost programming, plus an additional 65,000 encounter public art at street level.

• Future Growth

  • Ongoing development of the new 27,000 sq. ft. Oolite Art Center, which will more than double studio and public program space.