The Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) has appointed José Carlos Diaz as its new senior director of curatorial affairs and chief curator, effective October 13. Diaz, a Miami native, returns from the Seattle Art Museum where he served as deputy director of art since 2022, overseeing curatorial programs and the "Calder at SAM" initiative following a major gift of 48 Calder works. He succeeds Gilbert Vicario, who left in February. Diaz previously worked at PAMM when it was the Miami Art Museum, and has held curatorial roles at the Bass Museum of Art, Tate Liverpool, the Liverpool Biennial, and the Andy Warhol Museum.
This appointment matters because Diaz brings extensive experience in both major institutions and his hometown, positioning him to shape PAMM's growing collection—now 3,500 objects—with a focus on Latin American and Latinx art. His vision emphasizes global perspectives, accessibility, and expanding the museum's role as a community "third space" for art, music, and programming. The move signals PAMM's commitment to strengthening its curatorial leadership amid Miami's evolution into a sophisticated art metropolis, especially since the arrival of Art Basel.