Resolution 2025-33904 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-33904
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO
INCLUDE FUNDING IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000 AS A
POSSIBLE BUDGET ENHANCEMENT DURING THE FY 2026 BUDGET
PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF THE "DOORS
TO FREEDOM" PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION, IN COLLABORATION WITH
CUBAN FREEDOM MARCH, DURING ART WEEK MIAMI BEACH 2O25, TO BE
LOCATED AT 4601 COLLINS AVENUE IN INDIAN BEACH PARK; AND
WAIVING ANY APPLICABLE SPECIAL EVENT PERMITTING FEES AND
SQUARE FOOTAGE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE INSTALLATION IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $3,000.
WHEREAS, Doors to Freedom is a large-scale, immersive public art installation planned
for Art Week Miami Beach 2025, designed to highlight the power of creative expression in the
face of authoritarian repression by showcasing visual artists currently imprisoned in authoritarian
countries for their artwork and activism; and
WHEREAS, the installation will feature a series of 8-10 symbolic doors—each one serving
as a portal into a powerful story of artistic courage — located at 4601 Collins Avenue in Indian
Beach Park in Miami Beach, and will showcase internationally recognized artists such as Luis
Manuel Otero Alcantara of Cuba, whose art and activism have made him a symbol of resistance
against authoritarian censorship; and
WHEREAS, each freestanding door will be painted with the national flag of the artisYs
country of origin, providing cultural and geopolitical context, and will include:
• An original work of art created by the imprisoned artist;
• A printed narrative explaining the artist's story, the reasons for their imprisonment, and
the nature of the regime they live under; and
• A QR code linking to audio and video content to deepen visitor engagement and allow
global sharing of the stories; and
WHEREAS, Cuban Freedom March, a nonprofit organization committed to advocating for
democracy and human rights in Cuba and other authoritarian regimes, is assisting with the
development and execution of Doors to Freedom, bringing its expertise in civic engagement,
international advocacy, and community mobilization to ensure the installation's success and
impact; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach — home to large diaspora communities from many of
the countries represented and boasting a proud history of providing a platform for free expression
— is the ideal host for this global call for artistic and political freedom; and
WHEREAS, Art Week Miami Beach draws tens of thousands of international visitors and
offers unparalleled visibility, providing the City with a unique opportunity to amplify the values of
artistic freedom, human rights, and cultural diversity; and
WHEREAS, the total estimated budget for poors to Freedom ranges from $30,000 to
$50,000, covering the production of the doors, secure presentation of the artworks, installation
setup and breakdown, multimedia integration, transportation, and artist honorariums; and
WHEREAS, the project organizers are actively seeking sponsorships and private funding
to support the installation, in addition to requesting assistance from the City; and
WHEREAS, the City's financial contribution not to exceed $50,000, and the waiver of
special event permitting fees and square footage fees in an amount not to exceed $3,000, will
ensure that Doors to Freedom is presented at the highest level of quality and impact during Art
Week Miami Beach 2025, reinforcing the City's leadership in supporting public art and global
human rights initiatives; and
WHEREAS, the project organizers also request that the City provide permitting support
for the beach installation, inclusion in official Art Week Miami Beach programming where possible,
and promotion through cultural affairs and public communication channels; and
WHEREAS, Doors to Freedom will serve as a pilot for a scalable, traveling instaliation
adaptable to university campuses, museums, and international human rights events, ensuring the
City's investment has an enduring legacy; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby directs the Administration to include funding in an amount not to exceed
$50,000 as a possible budget enhancement during the FY 2026 budget process for the production
and installation of the "Doors to Freedom" public art installation, in collaboration with Cuban
Freedom March, during Art Week Miami Beach 2025, to be located at 4601 Collins Avenue in
Indian Beach Park; and further, waive any applicable special event permitting fees and square
footage fees association with the installation in an amount not to exceed $3,000.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 3 day of s��7��►'Mt�/ , 2025.
ATTEST:
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' ��� �' l�Z� Steven Meiner, Mayor
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
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S onsored b Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez
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Co-Sponsored by Commissioner Laura Dominguez � o.,� :. APPROVED AS TO
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City Attomey Date
2
Resolutions - R7 Z
MIAMIBEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: City Attorney Ricardo J. Dopico
DATE: September 3, 2025
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO INCLUDE
FUNDING IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000 AS A POSSIBLE BUDGET
ENHANCEMENT DURING THE FY 2026 BUDGET PROCESS FOR THE
PRODUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF THE "DOORS TO FREEDOM" PUBLIC
ART INSTALLATION, IN COLLABORATION WITH CUBAN FREEDOM MARCH,
DURING ART WEEK MIAMI BEACH 2O25, TO BE LOCATED AT 4601 COLLINS
AVENUE IN INDIAN BEACH PARK; AND WAIVING ANY APPLICA6LE SPECIAL
EVENT PERMITTING FEES AND SQUARE FOOTAGE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH
THE INSTALLATION IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $3,000.
RECOMMENDATION
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
ANALYSIS
The attached Resolution was prepared at the request of the sponsor, Commissioner Alex
Fernandez.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
The fiscal impact of this measure shail not exceed $53,000.
Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate?
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on:
See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.qov/citv-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONCLUSION �
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Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Riqht to Know" item, Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to Citv Code Section 2-17? Proiect?
No No
Was this_Agenda Item initiallY requested bv a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481,
includes a principal enqaqed in lobbyinq? No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Department
City Attorney
Saonsor(s1
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
Co-sponsor(s)
Condensed Title
Funding for poors to Freedom Public Art Installation. (Fernandez) CA
Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)
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