Interview May 2014
Dr. Joel M. Hoffman --
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens; Miami, Fl., Pg. 1 of 2

Jay -- Have you ever been a tourist in your town/Miami, If yes, where did you go and what did you do?

Dr. Hoffman -- Absolutely! What better place to be a tourist? When I was a child, my family came to the area and we spent our time on the beaches and at the attractions−we were a fairly typical family then and Miami was a very different place. When I began traveling to Miami as an adult, I also fell in love with the Everglades and our parks, the area′s incredible architectural and urban resources, and our cultural organizations. I find Miami to be an exceptional place for the accessibility and proximity of our beaches, the vast selection of interesting hotels to stay at or visit, some of the best food in the world, and interesting, creative places springing up everywhere. To give you some idea of what I consider to be some special tourist opportunities, when I recently hosted a group of visiting museum colleagues, I took them to the Biltmore Hotel, The Wolfsonian-FIU, the Miami Beach Art Deco District, 1111 Lincoln Road, the Raleigh Hotel, the de la Cruz Collection, Wynwood Walls, and PAMM (Pirez Art Museum Miami).

Jay -- What is your favorite tourist spot (Outside of Miami/Miami Beach) in the Continental United States, and why?

Dr. Hoffman -- I always enjoy visiting Los Angeles and try to get there once a year. I′m fortunate to have close family and friends in Los Angeles, which helps to motivate my trips. When I′m there I always find myself completely captivated by the hills and mountains that provide views of the city and from the city−the contrast of urbanity and nature, energy and calm. I also like the contrasts of ″gritty″ and ″pretty″ that one finds everywhere in LA.


Jay -- What is your favorite tourist spot outside of the Continental United States, and why?

Dr. Hoffman -- I have enjoyed traveling to many places, each memorable in its own way. Some of my personal ″standouts″ are Kyoto [Japan], St. Petersburg [Russia], Machu Picchu [Peru], Mexico City and Brasilia -- in each of these cases I have been moved by the distinct architectural and cultural legacy of those who came before us. But it′s probably no coincidence that the director of Vizcaya has an especially warm spot in his heart for Venice, which was a tremendous source of inspiration for this property. Venice is theatrical and vulnerable and quixotic, triumphant and sad, and a city in which one always gets lost is an endless source of adventure for someone who has spent most of his life in gridded cities.


Jay -- What are your hobbies?

Dr. Hoffman -- I enjoy traveling more than about anything else. From the first time I traveled outside the United States, I have found that travel renews and inspires me. When one works a lot, travel can be a terrific way of re-assessing and seeing things in new and different ways. My favorite at-home hobby is kayaking−but I more frequently find myself watching films, listening to music, or visiting with friends.



Jay -- What was your inspiration for going into this type of business?

Dr. Hoffman -- I always had a passion for architecture, even as a small child. But when I was growing up I had no knowledge of the field of art history, which I eventually studied in graduate school. In fact I began college as a computer science engineer and then followed my heart back to the arts, although my parents worried about my future! I thought about being a professor, but ultimately was more interested in building my career in museums, which have the mission and ability to reach a much broader public. I believe in museums as transformative places of learning, and that′s why I work in one.


Jay -- What do you like the most about your job?

Dr. Hoffman -- That′s a hard question, because there are many things! Knowing that when people come to Vizcaya they have an experience unlike any other they can find in Miami. Vizcaya is a bit of a contradiction in that way. On the one hand it is inextricably linked to Miami′s history and quintessentially Miami in its special combination of natural and designed beauty. On the other hand, people have no idea that something so seemingly old and foreign is in Miami, and it puts the rest of the city and their experiences here in context. It′s especially rewarding to be associated with an organization that provides such meaningful experiences to school children who have never experienced anything like Vizcaya. I also like ″underdog″ causes and for many, many years Vizcaya was overlooked as the treasure that it is−I derive great satisfaction from helping to preserve this special place for our community and its visitors. Finally, I′ll share that there is always something new to think about, learn, or accomplish at Vizcaya−the place keeps revealing itself in fascinating ways and this job will never be dull.

Jay -- What do you like the least about your job?

Dr. Hoffman -- I wish I had more time to delve into the history of Vizcaya, to learn about the people who created it, who saved it, and who have experienced it over the years. I don′t have enough time to satisfy my historical curiosity! Of course, I also wish we had adequate resources to fully restore Vizcaya. I′m a perfectionist and I would like to see this landmark meet its full potential as a heritage site and community resource.