Our Mission
The mission of the Koubek Center is to produce and present multi-disciplinary artistic programs that inspire, inform and entertain as well as build community through the arts. Creating and sharing art connects us to our city and to each other. The Koubek Center is a place for artists and local arts organizations to explore and experiment, engage in collaborations, and share their work with the community. Our programs are informed by a spirit of inclusion and cooperation, with a focus on highlighting emerging and established local artists, and providing opportunities for exceptionally talented individuals and underrepresented voices. Ultimately, we want to make the Koubek Center a meeting space for all Miamians; a welcoming, creative, and fun place that will make the residents of Little Havana proud.
Our History
The Austrian trader John J. Koubek built a Mediterranean-style mansion in 1929 as a gift to his beloved wife. After her passing, and aware of the bold history he saw unfolding around him—he donated the mansion to University of Miami with the condition that it be used to serve the community. For next several decades, it did just that—acting as a satellite campus to help arriving Cuban refugees learn English, obtain job training, and, for Cuban-trained doctors, engineers, lawyers and other professionals, prepare for their respective U.S. Board Exams. It also became a meeting place for Latin American cultural and political groups. In 2011, Miami Dade College acquired the Koubek Center and affirmed its commitment to the original mission.
Since its adoption into MDC’s family of iconic buildings, which include the Freedom Tower in downtown Miami, efforts have centered on Koubek’s physical and programmatic revitalization. Through partnerships with Miami Book Fair, International Hispanic Theatre Festival of Miami, Miami Film Festival, New World School of Arts, Iberoamerican Film Festival, MDC Live Arts and various community arts organizations and local artists, the Koubek has presented robust seasons of art exhibits, films, concerts, theatre and literary events.
Today, the Koubek Center has established itself as a dynamic multidisciplinary cultural hub that reflects the creativity and diversity of Miami. Through year-round programming spanning theatre, music, dance, literature, film, visual arts, and community engagement, the Center serves as a platform for artistic innovation while fostering meaningful dialogue across cultures and generations. Signature initiatives such as Picnic de Libros, En Residencia, Baila Little Havana, Jazz @ Koubek, Women in Theatre, Disc-cover @ Koubek, among other programs, exemplify the Center’s commitment to supporting artists at every stage of their careers while creating accessible cultural experiences for the broader community.
Working alongside Miami Dade College’s academic divisions, local organizations, and national and international partners, the Koubek Center continues to strengthen Miami’s cultural ecosystem by championing collaboration, expanding access to the arts, and creating opportunities for learning, creative expression, and civic engagement.