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Miami Design Preservation League

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Art Deco Academy/Tour School

Tour School/Art Deco Academy

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Interested in learning more about Art Deco architecture and Miami Beach history? Miami Design Preservation League offers the Art Deco Academy and Tour School, a course designed for individuals who would like to know more about Art Deco. The Art Deco Academy/Tour School also serves as a training program for individuals who would like to become volunteer guides for MDPL, leading walking tours of the Art Deco District.

The curriculum, established by the Academy's founder and director Jeff Donnelly Ph.D., focuses on the history of the Art Deco District, its architecture, and the efforts by MDPL and others to preserve it. Miami Beach's Art Deco District was the nation's first twentieth-century historic district.

Graduating from the Academy requires completion of two days of educational sessions (generally two Saturdays), which include walking tours, the study of architectural styles and Miami Beach history, and guest lectures. Tour School candidates who wish to become volunteer guides need to attend a third Saturday session, primarily devoted to student presentations of selected walking tour sites.

The cost for the Academy/Tour School is $40 and includes two walking tours, lunches, briefing materials, an architectural guide, information about the architecture MDPL is committed to preserving, and information about Miami Beach history.

The Art Deco Academy/Tour School is held twice each year; once in the spring and again in the fall.

For additional information call 305.672.2014.

Tours

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Friday 10 September

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Parking

While there may be parking available on the street, we recommend visitors park in one of the City of Miami Beach parking facilities at:

7th Street Garage: Between Washington & Collins on 7th Street.
12th Street Garage: Just West of Washington Avenue on 12th Street.
13th Street Garage: Just East of Collins Avenue on 13th Street.
17th Street Garage at Convention Center Drive.

Additional Handicapped Parking available on Ocean Drive at the 5th Street entrance to Lummus Park.

The charge for parking at on-street meters or in a municipal garage is the same—$1.25 per hour. The advantage of the garage is that you can pay for your entire stay (via cash, credit, or debit card) when you leave, without the worry of your parking receipt expiring.

Please note: there are some additional garages in the Art Deco District, operated by private companies. Their rates may vary, but they are likely to be more expensive than city-owned facilities.

Driving Directions

From Miami International Airport

Upon exiting airport, follow signs to Highway 836 East

Pay toll ($1.25) at toll plaza and follow signs to I-395 East to Miami Beach

I-395 becomes the MacArthur Causeway and passes the Port of Miami

As the Causeway reaches Miami Beach, it becomes 5th Street; continue straight ahead on 5th Street

5th Street dead ends at Ocean Drive; turn left, going north

The Art Deco Gift Shop is located at 1200 Ocean Drive (Entrance on 12th Street, just west of Ocean Drive)

From Ft. Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport

Upon exiting airport, follow signs to I-595 West

Follow signs to I-95 South to Miami

Exit I-95 at I-395 East to Miami Beach

I-395 becomes the MacArthur Causeway and passes the Port of Miami

As the Causeway reaches Miami Beach, it becomes 5th Street; continue straight ahead on 5th Street

5th Street dead ends at Ocean Drive; turn left, going north

The Art Deco Gift Shop is located at 1200 Ocean Drive (Entrance on 12th Street, just west of Ocean Drive)

From North / South I-95

Exit I-95 at I-395 East to Miami Beach

I-395 becomes the MacArthur Causeway and passes the Port of Miami

As the Causeway reaches Miami Beach, it becomes 5th Street; continue straight ahead on 5th Street

5th Street dead ends at Ocean Drive; turn left, going north

The Art Deco Gift Shop is located at 1200 Ocean Drive (Entrance on 12th Street, just west of Ocean Drive)

Public Transportation

MDPL can be reached from many parts of the county via the following Miami-Dade Transit routes:

Route C
Route H
Route K
Route M
Route 51 - Flagler MAX
Route 236 - Night OWL
Route 246 - Airport OWL
South Beach Local

Most of these routes have stops at or near Washington Avenue and 12th Street, which is less than two blocks from the Official Art Deco Gift Shop.

For more information on these routes (including route maps and schedules), please visit Miami-Dade Transit.

Coming from elsewhere in South Florida? Tri-Rail is a commuter train that is operated by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, and is integrated into the public transit systems of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. For route maps and schedules, please visit SFRTA.