Knight Foundation funds Freedom Tower centennial

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has donated $5 million to go towards Miami Dade College’s National Historic Landmark Freedom Tower.           

In celebration of its centennial, the funds will support the restoration, revitalization and cultural programming of the Freedom Tower at 600 Biscayne Blvd. in downtown Miami.

This transformational investment marks Knight Foundation’s first major contribution to the Freedom Tower and will be recognized through the naming of The Knight Skylight Gallery, which will be light-filled space that once served as a workroom for the Miami Daily News, said Maribel Pérez Wadsworth, president and CEO of the Knight Foundation.

“The Freedom Tower stands at the crossroads of Miami’s past, present and future,” she said. “With this gift, we are not only helping to preserve a landmark of profound historical significance but also ensuring that every Miamian can see themselves reflected in its exhibitions, programs and cultural expression.”

As part of the tower’s grand reopening in September, the gallery will debut with “Refuge and Reflection,” a signature exhibition exploring themes of community, resilience, memory and belonging through art, multimedia, oral histories and interactive storytelling.

The Knight Skylight Gallery will also host a sound and light installation and a wall-sized projection mapping Miami’s landscape and evolution. A sculpture by artist Sharon Louden will anchor the space, while a broadsheet publication produced three times a year will spotlight Miami stories.

The Knight Series at the Skylight Gallery, developed in collaboration with Miami Dade College, will feature interdisciplinary events inspired by the tower’s legacy in journalism, civic dialogue and the arts.

The Freedom Tower’s centennial represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore its iconic Mediterranean Revival architecture while launching a new chapter as a vibrant civic and cultural hub, said Madeline Pumariega, the college’s president. In addition to the Knight Skylight Gallery, the reimagined tower will include new exhibitions that document its original role as the home of the Miami Daily News and, later, the Cuban Refugee Center, which welcomed over 400,000 Cuban exiles fleeing the island, she added.

Knight Foundation’s new $5 million investment builds on its longstanding commitment to Miami Dade College, bringing its total support to more than $16 million in recent years. This includes a $7 million grant in 2021 that helped establish the nation’s first associate degree in applied artificial intelligence.

Knight’s sustained partnership has also supported MDC’s cultural and civic programs such as the Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival, Museum of Art and Design (MOAD), Live Arts Miami, and The Koubek Center, reinforcing its dedication to preserving Miami’s cultural institutions and expanding civic engagement.

Built in 1925, the Freedom Tower is a designated National Historic Landmark and one of Miami’s most iconic buildings. Originally serving as the headquarters for The Miami News, it later became a processing center for about 400,000 Cuban exiles seeking safety and opportunity during the 1960s and 1970s. Today, it is stewarded by Miami Dade College and is operated by its Museum of Art and Design (MOAD).

“This gift is a testament to the belief that Miami’s history deserves to be preserved, celebrated, and shared,” said President Pumariega said. “The Freedom Tower will continue to serve as a beacon of civic memory, cultural expression and community pride for the next 100 years.”