Wallace helped shape nearly 10,000 performances and signature series including Masterworks Classical, Jazz Roots and Theater Up Close
Read more Insider’s Guide: How Locals Experience St. Maarten
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County (@arshtcenter) announced today that Vice President of Programming Liz Wallace will complete her 18-year tenure at the Arsht in June 2026. Wallace will return to her roots in the Northeast U.S. to pursue her next chapter following a career that helped guide the organization from its earliest seasons to national prominence.
Wallace joined the Arsht in April 2008 during the center’s second season. She has guided programming decisions that contributed to audience growth and the Arsht’s role as the cultural pulse of Miami. During her time at the programmatic helm, Wallace launched the Arsht’s classical series and cultivated close relationships with renowned orchestras and artists, pairing business acumen with artistic sensibility and a deep community profile. Her collaborative approach supported a flourishing ecosystem of resident companies and local arts partners, strengthening the Arsht as a year-round home for global and local artists and homegrown storytelling.
Wallace also helped steward landmark engagements and initiatives that left a lasting mark on the community, including the Arsht’s annual presentations of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and AileyCamp Miami, the transformational summer experience for young people, and marquee summer presentations, such as Slava’s Snowshow and Fuerza Bruta, that became community favorites. Liz also led the Arsht in presenting, commissioning or producing new work that positioned Miami on the global cultural map, including two critically acclaimed multimedia works by William Kentridge performed during Art Basel; the Arsht’s 10@10 series of 10 commissions spanning dance, theater and music honoring the Arsht’s 10th anniversary; and Light: The Holocaust & Humanity Project, a community-wide collaboration focusing attention on the work that is being done in Miami-Dade County in Holocaust education and protection of human rights.
“Liz has helped shape the Arsht’s artistic identity from our earliest seasons,” said Johann Zietsman, president and CEO of the Arsht. “Her leadership has supported nearly 10,000 performances, strengthened our relationships with local and global artists and helped position the Arsht as a place where Miami’s creativity is celebrated on stage. We are grateful for her extraordinary leadership and wish her continued success in what comes next.”
“It has been the joy of a lifetime to see so many extraordinary artists perform on our stages—and to watch Miami talent gain recognition around the world,” said Wallace. “I’m proud to have served this vibrant Miami community alongside colleagues and partners who are deeply committed to expanding access, fostering excellence, and strengthening connections through the arts—while also reaching beyond our region to bring the very best performances to our stages.”
The Arsht will announce organizational updates in the coming weeks. Wallace will remain in her role through June 30, 2026 to support a smooth transition.