Known For
Establishing one of the world's most important privately held contemporary art collections and transforming it into a publicly accessible cultural institution that elevated Miami's global standing in the art world.
About
Martin Z. Margulies built his empire through strategic real estate development while cultivating one of the most significant modern and contemporary art collections globally, beginning his acquisition journey in the 1970s after settling in Miami. His collecting acumen spans from postwar masters including Willem de Kooning and Roy Lichtenstein to emerging contemporary voices, with a particular depth in Italian art and photography documenting American social history. Operating through the Martin Z. Margulies Foundation, he converted a 50,000-square-foot Wynwood warehouse into an educational institution that has welcomed thousands of international visitors, cementing Miami's position as a global art hub. His philanthropic commitments exceed $30 million to South Florida cultural institutions and national organizations including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Under the long-term curatorial direction of Katherine Hinds, the collection continues advancing its dual mission of preservation and public engagement through rotating exhibitions exploring arte povera, pop art, and contemporary Italian practices.