From 1977 to 2008, the museum was housed in less than 7,000 interior square feet of Primera Casa, an FIU administration building located in the heart of the campus.

In an effort to reach "the broadest audience possible," The Frost Art Museum expanded its premises to create an outdoor sculpture program, containing 57 works by contemporary sculptors.

The new Frost Art Museum was designed by Yann Weymouth of Hellmuth Obata + Kassabaum (HOK).

In addition to the atrium, the ground floor houses a café and museum shop, the Dahlia Morgan Members' Lounge, as well as the Steven & Dorothea Green Auditorium and Lecture Hall.

The museum has also paid close attention to the wide range of styles in the world of contemporary art.