Dr. Carol Damian
Currently serving as Chair of the Miami-Dade County Art in Public Places Trust, Dr. Carol Damian is one of South Florida’s most influential voices in the visual arts, recognized for her transformative leadership, scholarship, and curatorial work. A list of Dr. Damian’s articles, catalogues, and curated exhibitions is 14 pages long. As Director and Chief Curator of the Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum at Florida International University
from 2008 to 2014, and a Professor of Art History for over two decades, Dr. Damian helped expand Miami-Dade’s cultural landscape. Her work at FIU included founding initiatives that bridged academia and the public through exhibitions, education, and international collaborations. A specialist in Latin American and Caribbean art, Dr. Damian has spotlighted underrepresented voices, particularly Latin American women and Cuban exile artists. Her curatorial projects at institutions such as the Frost Art Museum, the Coral Gables Museum, and the Kislak Center at Miami Dade College have made significant contributions to the cultural identity of the region. She has served on the Coral Gables Cultural Development Board, and the boards of PAMM, the Lowe Art Museum, and Bakehouse Art Complex—positions through which she has shaped public art policy and championed local artists. Dr. Damian is the recipient of numerous honors, including France’s Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres, PAMM’s International Women’s Leadership Award, and the ArtTable Leadership Award. Through her teaching, writing, and community engagement, she has mentored generations of artists and scholars while advancing Miami-Dade’s reputation as a thriving, inclusive arts destination. Her legacy continues to inspire and define the region’s cultural narrative.