Throughout his museum career, Hoffman has focused on making visual arts and history engaging to diverse public audiences. His appointment advances Vizcaya Museum and Gardens  Trust’s commitment to reinvigorate Vizcaya as a thriving cultural destination for Miami-Dade residents and tourists. 

Dr. Hoffman’s appointment comes at a critical moment in Vizcaya’s history. The museum is beginning the process of preserving and interpreting eleven historic buildings that are known as “The Village,” located across South Miami Avenue from the main house and gardens. Industrialist James Deering constructed these architecturally significant buildings, which have never been open to the public. 

Hoffman brings extensive knowledge of Miami, having lived and worked in the area for more than six years. As an associate director at The Wolfsonian-Florida International University in Miami Beach, he had direct or supervisory responsibility for educational programs, grant writing, membership and special events, visitor services, and information technologies. In this capacity, he authored the museum’s successful American Association of Museums’ initial accreditation report and numerous State and County grants. 

Dr. Hoffman holds a doctorate in art history from Yale University and an undergraduate degree in English literature from University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of several publications on art and culture of the period in which Vizcaya was created. He recently served as guest editor of Design, Culture, Identity, volume 24 of The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts, a study of The Wolfsonian’s modern-era collection. 

At the Brooklyn Museum of Art, Hoffman was Vice Director for Education and Program Development. He oversaw staff of 25 dedicated to developing innovative educational programs and resources for visitors of all ages. The museum’s audience is drawn largely from the borough of Brooklyn, which, like Miami, is home to individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds including many recent immigrants. He also has served as audience advocate in the reinstallations of the museum’s American, African, and Ancient Egyptian collections. At Brooklyn, Joel Hoffman participated in numerous partnerships with other organizations, including Urban Network, a national consortium of ten large museums united in their efforts to be more accessible. 

Of his new position, Joel Hoffman says, “I’m thrilled to be back in Miami and inspired by the opportunity of working with the Trust, Miami-Dade County and the support groups to lead Vizcaya into the future. Over the years, so many Miamians have come to Vizcaya to celebrate special moments in their lives. With those personal connections in place, I think the potential is unlimited for welcoming visitors to learn about Vizcaya’s creator James Deering and the times in which he lived, the fast-paced history of Miami in the twentieth century, the critical role of art and design in our lives, and the value of international exchange essential to Vizcaya and the city in which it resides.”