One of the nation's premier art institutions, the Brooklyn Museum of Art rocketed back into the public consciousness in 1999 with the hugely controversial "Sensation: Young British Artists from the Saatchi Collection," which drew international media attention and record crowds who came to see just what an artist -- and a few conservative politicians -- could make out of a little elephant dung.

Indeed, the museum is best known for its consistently remarkable temporary exhibitions -- which ranged from "The Last Expression: Art and Auschwitz" to "Pulp Art: From the Collection of Robert Lesser" in mid-2003 alone -- as well as its excellent permanent collection. The museum's grand beaux arts building, designed by McKim, Mead & White (1897), befits its outstanding holdings, most notably the Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern collection of sculpture, wall reliefs, and mummies. The distinguished decorative arts collection includes 28 American period rooms from 1675 to 1928 (the extravagant Moorish-style smoking room from John D. Rockefeller's 54th St. mansion is my favorite). Other highlights are the African and Asian arts galleries, dozens of works by Rodin, a good costumes and textiles collection, and a diverse collection of both American and European painting and sculpture that includes works by Homer, O'Keeffe, Monet, Cézanne, and Degas. Look for more terrific exhibits on the 2003-04 calendar.