NYC Arts: The Complete Guide to Art and Culture

One of the nation's premier art institutions, the Brooklyn Museum has one of the most active exhibition programs in town. Its exhibits range from the solidly classical (based on its strong collection) to the provocative art of our times. The museum's neo-classical structure was designed by McKim, Mead & White in 1893. Its 1.5 million artworks include several world-class collections. The Egyptian art collection is arguably the best in North America. Displayed on the third floor of the renovated Schapiro Wing, more than 500 objects represent Egyptian culture from the reigns of Akhenaten to Cleopatra VII. There's also a fine collection from Greek and Roman antiquity, as well as Assyrian and Coptic objects.

In 1923 the museum became the first such institution to exhibit African objects as art rather than artifacts. Since then the collection of central African pieces has grown to become among the most important in the country. Ancient American artistic traditions are represented by Andean textiles, including the famous Paracas Textile (c. 150 B.C.), Central American gold, Mexican sculpture and a fine collection of ceramics, totem poles, statuary, headdresses and masks. The Arts of the Pacific collection covers Polynesia, Melanesia and Indonesia. The arts of China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and the Islamic world, from antiquity to the present, are represented in ceramics, sculptures and paintings.

Holdings in prints, drawings and photographs include major groups of works by Sargent, Homer and Eakins. There are notable drawings by Dürer, Rembrandt and Toulouse-Lautrec; prints by Bonnard, Redon and Vuillard; and many German Expressionist images. Photographic masters such as Hine, Atget and Steichen are also well represented. The Dinner Party, an important icon of 1970s feminist art and a milestone in 20th-century art, is presented as the centerpiece around which the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art is organized and is on permanent display. The Dinner Party comprises a massive ceremonial banquet, arranged on a triangular table with a total of 39 place settings, each commemorating an important woman from history.

In April of 2004 the museum unveiled a new façade, embarked on a new mission of inclusiveness and announced it would no longer be the Brooklyn Museum of Art, but would return to its longtime name prior to 1997, the Brooklyn Museum, all in an effort to reach the broadest spectrum of visitors and increase attendance. First Saturdays, when the museum is free from 5-11 pm and presents a wealth of special events, is an enormous success.

Foreign-language Programs
With far advance notice, private guided tours in French, Russian and Spanish can be booked.

• Landmark Status: National Register of Historic Places, New York City Landmark
• Directions: Subway: 2, 3 to Eastern Parkway-Brooklyn Museum

• ADA Compliant Restrooms
• Coat Check
• Disability Access: Fully accessible. Wheelchairs available at coat check on a first come, first served basis. For further information on accessibility, contact access@brooklynmuseum.org or call (718) 501-6229.
• Disability Assistance: With advance notice, the museum offers guided gallery visits to children and adults with developmental disabilities.
  Hearing: Assistive listening devices and sign language-interpreted gallery talks are available. Infrared hearing devices available in the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium. Transcripts of permanent collection audio guides available.
  Vision: Audio guide and Braille materials are available. Touch tours available by appointment.
• Gift Shops
• On-Site Parking
• Tours: Museum guides and student guides lead free tours Wed, Thurs & Fri at 1:30 pm, and Sat & Sun at 1, 2 & 3 pm.

Get involved with Brooklyn Museum

• Donations through NYCharities.org
• Donations through Brooklyn Museum's Web site
• Memberships: Yearly memberships include Individual ($55), Dual ($85), and Family ($100) levels. Benefits included at all levels are free admission, free parking during members-only events, and discounts in the Museum Café and Shop.