The Bass Museum was established from its inception as a strong public/private partnership through a contractual agreement entered into 51 years ago when the City accepted the gift of the art collection of John and Johanna Bass. The Bass Museum, as an operating entity, overseen by a Board of Trustees with responsibility for Museum policies and procedures, as well as day-to-day management through the staff it employed.
In addition to the City and the Board of Trustees, a third entity has existed to promote and further the mission of the Bass Museum of Art: The Friends of the Bass Museum, Inc. This private and separate 501(c) 3 organization was established in 1978 as the membership and fundraising arm of the Museum. The President of the Friends chairs the Board of Trustees. The Friends' Board of Directors served as advisory to the Trustees, advocated and raised funds for the Museum, and sponsored Museum programs, which included all special exhibitions and educational programs. The Museum's membership, education, development and marketing efforts were realized by employees of the Friends of the Bass Museum.
The Bass Ball is the annual signature and significant fundraiser for the Friends of the Bass Museum of Art. The Bass Ball has been produced for the last for four (4) years and is expected to attract 300 attendees - the largest Bass Ball to date.
The 2018 Bass Ball is planned for December 15, 2018, on Collins Park between 21st and 22nd Streets.
The organizers are requesting the City waive the following fees:
Application fee $ 250
Permit fee $ 250
Vehicle Beach Access Passes $ 750
Square Footage fees $2,100
Collins Park User fee $3,000
Police Administrative fees $1,710
The fee waiver total amount requested is $8,060.00
Pursuant to Sec. 12-7(a) of Chapter 12 (Arts, Culture and Entertainment) of the City Code, any request for City Sponsorship of an event shall only be considered through the City Commission's annual budget process. All other requests for City sponsorship, pursuant to 12-7(b) shall require "(I) an advisory recommendation of the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee; and (ii) by a five-sevenths (5/7th) vote, of the City Commission," and 12-7(c) states that 'in considering approval of a Sponsorship for an event, "the City Commission may consider (i) whether the event organizer has exercised good-faith diligent efforts to apply for grant funding that may be available from the City's Visitor and Convention Authority ("CVA" or Cultural Arts Council ("CAC"); (ii) the Event organizer's history and performance in delivering quality Events, (iii) any benefits being directly provided to the general public with respect to the Event, such as free or discounted tickets to persons residing in the City of Miami Beach, seniors, veterans, or member of disadvantaged groups; (iv) whether the event is accessible to the general public (either as a ticketed event or otherwise); (v) the demonstrable economic impacts associated with the Event; (vi) the demonstrable media commitments secured by the Event organizer for the Event; or (vii) the efforts undertaken by the Event organizer to mitigate any quality of life impacts associated with the Event, including noise, littering, traffic or parking impacts associated with an Event."
While the ordinance does not apply to sponsorships under $25,000, the event consideration for sponsorship would meet the guidelines in the following manner:
1. Has the event applied for CAC or VCA? In this case, the event did not apply for VCA sponsorship.
2. How many years has the event been active on Miami Beach? In this case, the event has been active for four (4) years.
3. Does the event generate significant room nights on Miami Beach? This event does not demonstrate audited room nights on Miami Beach.
4. What is the public benefit provided by the event? 100% of the funds raised will support the operational cost to keep the Bass Museum accessible to the public and free to Miami Beach residents year round.