Nearly four decades ago, a potter named Ellie Schneiderman had a simple but powerful idea: Miami's visual artists needed affordable places to work. Today, the organization she founded — now known as Oolite Arts — has grown into one of South Florida's most important contemporary art institutions, supporting artists at every stage of their careers from its home on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach.
From ArtCenter/South Florida to Oolite Arts
Created in 1984 as ArtCenter/South Florida, the organization changed its name to Oolite Arts to better reflect both its roots and its mission. The name comes from oolite, the sedimentary rock formed by shells, corals, and other organic material that serves as the literal bedrock of Miami — a fitting metaphor for an organization that seeks to be the bedrock of the city's visual arts community.
"Help artists help themselves," Schneiderman said of her vision. Four decades later, that ethos continues to guide everything Oolite Arts does — from free studio residencies and direct financial support to exhibitions, education, and connections with art world leaders.
Residencies That Change Careers
At the heart of Oolite Arts is its residency program, which provides artists with free studio space, exhibition opportunities, direct financial support, and connections to curators and collectors. For a city where real estate costs can be punishing, free studio space isn't a luxury — it's the difference between sustaining a creative practice and giving it up.
The residency has produced an extraordinary roster of alumni who have gone on to exhibit internationally, receive major grants, and shape the trajectory of contemporary art in South Florida and beyond. Oolite Arts is both a community and a resource — a place where artists come together to push their work forward in the company of peers who understand the challenges and rewards of a creative life.
The Ellies and Beyond
Oolite Arts' annual awards program, The Ellies — named in honour of founder Ellie Schneiderman — provides direct financial support to outstanding Miami-Dade County visual artists. The awards celebrate the best of the region's creative talent and put real money in artists' hands, recognizing that financial support is one of the most practical things an arts organization can offer.
The organization also offers more than two hundred art classes annually, making contemporary art education accessible to the broader Miami community. From drawing and painting to digital media and experimental practices, the classes invite anyone with curiosity and enthusiasm to engage with contemporary art in a hands-on way.
A New Home on the Horizon
Oolite Arts is preparing for an exciting new chapter. The organization has acquired a new facility in the city of Miami at 75 NW 72nd Street, designed to expand its capacity to meet the needs of the city's rapidly growing visual arts community. The new space, scheduled to break ground in 2026, will offer expanded studio and exhibition space, enhanced education programming, and a new Source of Labor Recording Studio for youth.
Before construction begins, the Oolite team is meeting with residents and neighbourhood stakeholders to develop arts programming that responds to the cultural character and needs of the surrounding community — ensuring the new home becomes a genuine community resource.
Visit Oolite Arts
Until the new facility opens, Oolite Arts continues its signature programming at 924 Lincoln Road, second floor, Miami Beach. The gallery is open daily from noon to 5 p.m. Whether you're discovering new artists, taking a class, or simply exploring one of Miami Beach's most vibrant creative spaces, Oolite Arts welcomes everyone who believes in the transformative power of contemporary art.