Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Ganuza
Hi Adam, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story is fairly typical for a Miami boy raised in the 80s and 90s. Cuban parents, public schooling, booty dancing at Bermuda Bar and Grill, you know, totally normal stuff. It wasn’t until I moved to New England for university that I realized just how different a place Miami was from the rest of the US. And that difference has informed my worldview in ways that are still playing out now, decades later.
I’ve worked in nonprofits and in arts and culture for about 15 years. I’m relatively new to serving as the Executive Director of the Rhythm Foundation, but actually worked here early in my career. In those days I was doing things like driving the van and setting up hospitality in dressing rooms, but what I came to love was the social impact and community development side of the work. I became fascinated with the power of the arts to shape neighborhoods and cities- so much so that I went back to graduate school for the second time to study public affairs (I am an Ivy League trained metallurgist, as well, but that’s a much longer story).
From there, I worked as a grantmaker at the Knight Foundation, making investments into nonprofit arts and culture organizations across the country. For about five years I ran a program called the Knight Arts Challenge that supported many of the great arts organizations we have here in town.
Over the course of my career, I’ve come to see first hand, in multiple cities across the nation, the power of the arts to make people and places vibrant. I saw this happening at the Miami Beach Bandshell, a historic amphitheater owned by the City of Miami Beach and managed by the Rhythm Foundation since 2015. Something about the space feels magical, almost like it’s reaching out and giving you a palm-lined hug. It’s a perfect vehicle to continue exploring how culture builds community.
Together, my wife, who is also a Miami native, and I have two beautiful children. They too are being raised with beach days and multiculturalism.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I could fill a book with all the setbacks and obstacles I’ve faced. So, to answer the question succinctly, no, it has not been a smooth road.
I wouldn’t have it any other way, though. To quote one of my favorite US presidents, Teddy Roosevelt, “nothing worth having comes easy.”
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Rhythm Foundation / Miami Beach Bandshell?
We create shared cultural experiences that build and strengthen the diverse communities of South Florida through the presentation of live music.
The Rhythm Foundation is a non-profit cultural organization that has grown to become one of the leading presenters of international music in the US, with a long history of work bringing great world artists in concert for South Florida audiences.
Since 2015, we have managed the historic Miami Beach Bandshell for the City of Miami Beach, adding another component of community-focused cultural work to our mission. We present more than 100 concerts, festivals and special events at our home venue each year, as well as work to support locally-based artists and arts groups. In addition to the year-round concert series, highlights throughout the year include free monthly North Beach Social, the free Arts in the Parks series, the annual Miami Beach Youth Music Festival, Bandshell Laboratories projects, and many other signature activities.
For more information on how you can support our mission based work, please visit miamibeachbandshell.com and consider becoming a member of our community of music lovers.
What’s next?
Growth, growth, growth. Whether we are talking about expanding our audience through media projects or pushing the boundaries of the performing arts through innovative technology, the goal is to use our work as a platform for connectedness and understanding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://miamibeachbandshell.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhythmfoundation/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRhythmFoundation/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Miamibeachbandshell
Image Credits
Osmany Torres
