"Coming from New York, I was delighted to find that there were many noteworthy artists, exhibition spaces, museums and private collections in South Florida."

Heather Urban, Urban Art Access founder and president

Heather Urban is the President and founder of the Miami Beach–based organization Urban Art Access. An art marketing and art management specialist, Heather has over twenty years experience as an artist, collector, educator, art management consultant, and gallery and museum manager.

Drawing from her broad base of expertise in contemporary visual art, Heather provides innovative and evocative ways to introduce both new and experienced art collectors to the thriving art scene in South Florida. "I wanted to create a company that did more than take you into someone's private home, but gave you insight into what the collector collects and how they collect it – creating a memorable experience and unique opportunity – giving you insight to begin your own collection, be part of the art scene or at a minimum, a supporter of it."

Working in conjunction with museums, artists, collectors, dealers, curators and auctioneers in South Florida, Heather exposes the fast growing art scene to locals and visitors alike. Keeping a sharp eye on the art market, Heather opens the doors to an art world that most people never dreamed they would have access to. "When I founded Urban Art Access, I realized there were no independent entities looking at the entire art scene and directing people to the best of it. I wanted to help people discover our thriving Miami art community and create opportunities for them to become an integral part of it."

During her six years in New York City, Heather worked for the Museum of Modern Art in their Architecture and Design Department and several years later returned as a consultant for MOMA's Sales and Marketing Department. In the interim, Heather managed the Feigen Contemporary art gallery and worked for a high-end tour company that customized art travel programs for the Art Institute of Chicago, Cleveland Center for Contemporary Art and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. In 2000, Heather worked for the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami directing and developing innovative marketing strategies and spearheading new membership categories for the museum, including their hugely successful young professional group, the MOCA Shakers.

Today, Heather continues to use her extensive knowledge of commerce, art and specialized membership groups in her independent consulting work for such notable organizations as The Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Museum of Modern Art. Heather has advised Museum Managers from across the country at the Art Museum Membership Managers Conference (AMMMC) in Atlanta and Palm Beach on how to create and manage a successful young professional group. She was the Chairperson of Miami Beach's Art in Public Places Committee, Chairperson and Board of Trustee for Locust Projects, a Miami non-profit exhibition space, Junior Host Committee Member of Art Basel Miami Beach and is a long-time member and supporter of over a dozen museums from around the country. Heather received her B.S. in Studio Arts from Skidmore College, and her M.A. in Visual Arts Administration from New York University.