Miami has never been known as a cultural mecca as far as museums are concerned. Though several exhibition spaces have made forays into collecting nationally acclaimed work, limited support and political infighting have made it a difficult proposition. Recently, however, things have changed as museums such as the Wolfsonian, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Bass Museum of Art, and the Miami Art Museum have gotten on the bandwagon, boasting collections and exhibitions high on the list of art aficionados. It's now safe to say that world-class exhibitions start here. Listed below are the most lauded museums that have become a part of the city's cultural heritage, and as such, are as diverse as the city itself.

In South Beach--Work continues to proceed on the Miami Beach Cultural Park, which comprises a trio of arts buildings on Collins Park and Park Avenue (off Collins Avenue), bounded by 21st to 23rd streets--the newly expanded Bass Museum of Art, the new Arquitectonica-designed home of the Miami City Ballet, and the Miami Beach Regional Library, which broke ground in January 2001 and will have a special focus on the arts. Collins Park, the former site of the Miami Beach Library, will return to its original incarnation as an open space extending to the Atlantic, but it will also be the site of large sculpture installations and cultural activities planned jointly by the organizations that share the space.

Galleries--Miami's finest art galleries are located within walking distance of one another in Coral Gables along Ponce de León Boulevard, extending from U.S. 1 to Bird Road. Still others are clustered in Bal Harbour's ritzy shopping district, on 96th Street off of Collins Avenue, right near the Bal Harbour Shops. Unfortunately, South Beach's Lincoln Road, which once had dozens of galleries, now has only a few--a result of soaring rents.

Also check out the burgeoning art scene in the Design District north of downtown just west of Biscayne Boulevard around 40th Street. Listed below is a selection of galleries both in and out of these areas.

If you happen to be in town on the first Friday of the month, you should take the free trolley tour of the Coral Gables Art District. The tour runs from 7 to 10pm; meet at Elite (listed below) or at any of the other participating galleries in the area.

Barbara Gillman Gallery--This gallery's ongoing exhibit of jazz photographer Herman Leonard's fantastic black-and-white photographs of legends such as Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra has been so popular it hasn't changed in years. In addition to the works of Leonard and other renowned artists such as Andres Serrano, Andy Warhol, and James Rosenquist, the gallery displays the work of new local talent. 5582 NE 4th Court #5, Miami. tel. 305/759-9155.

Britto Central--Some people liken local Brazilian artist Romero Britto to Andy Warhol because of his colorful, whimsical paintings of young children and animals, among other things. Serious art lovers, however, consider Britto's cartoonish works more along the lines of a second-rate Walt Disney. You decide. 818 Lincoln Rd., South Beach. tel. 305/531-8821.

Elite Fine Art--Touted as one of the finest galleries in Miami, Elite features modern and contemporary Latin American painters and sculptors such as Angel Hurtado, Olga Sinclair, and Gina Pellon, among others. 3140 Ponce de León Blvd., Coral Gables. tel. 305/448-3800.

Evelyn S. Poole Ltd.--Known as the finest of the fine antiques collections, the Poole assortment of European 17th-, 18th-, and 19th-century decorative furniture and accessories is housed in 5,000 square feet of space in the newly revived Decorator's Row. 3925 N. Miami Ave., Miami. tel. 305/573-7463.

Meza Fine Art Gallery Café--Dine amidst fine works of art in this funky gallery and cafe that specializes in Latin American artists, including Carlos Betancourt, Javier Marin, and Gloria Lorenzo. 275 Giralda Ave., Coral Gables. tel. 305/461-2723.

Tower Theater--This renovated movie theater in Little Havana features highly regarded Cuban art such as Carlos Navarro's Cosas Cubanas (Cuban Things). 1508 SW 8th St., Little Havana. tel. 305/443-5415.

Wallflower Gallery--Funky, eclectic, and reminiscent of Andy Warhol's Factory, the Wallflower Gallery features an assortment of exhibits from local artists from erotica to exotica and everything in between. Performance art and live music are also featured here. 10 NE 3rd St., Miami. tel. 305/579-0069.