Nestled in the heart of Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Museum stands as one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. With a mission to create inspiring encounters with art that expand the ways we see ourselves, the world, and its possibilities, the museum offers a diverse and expansive collection that spans cultures and time periods.
Arts of Africa Collection
The Brooklyn Museum boasts one of the country’s most significant collections of African art. The Arts of Africa collection encompasses works from the Western Sudan to the Somali Peninsula, with particularly strong holdings from West and Central Africa, as well as important works from southern Africa. Highlights include a celebrated eighteenth-century Kuba sculpture, fourteenth- to sixteenth-century Ethiopian Orthodox processional crosses, and a mid-twentieth-century Sierra Leonean Ordehlay society mask.
Ancient Egyptian Collection
The Ancient Egyptian Art collection at the Brooklyn Museum is globally renowned, boasting over 1,200 objects on view and more than 5,000 total in its archives. Visitors can explore intricately preserved mummies, tomb artifacts, statuary, papyri, and jewelry that span over 4,000 years of Egyptian history. Highlights include the richly decorated Book of the Dead of Sobekmose, sculptures from the Temple of Dendur, and one of the most extensive collections of Middle Kingdom art in the Western Hemisphere. It’s a powerful journey through the lives, beliefs, and legacies of ancient African civilization.
Works by African American, Latino, and Native American Artists
Brooklyn Museum proudly holds permanent collections of works by some of the most influential African American, Latino, and Native American artists in history.
Notable African American artists featured include:
- Jean-Michel Basquiat
- Kehinde Wiley (best known for his presidential portrait of Barack Obama)
- Faith Ringgold
- Elizabeth Catlett
- Kerry James Marshall
- Mickalene Thomas
Latino artists such as Carmen Herrera, Félix González-Torres, and Pepón Osorio are also represented, with works that explore identity, politics, and diaspora.
The museum also honors Indigenous creativity with pieces by Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Marie Watt, and other contemporary and traditional Native American artists, reflecting themes of heritage, resistance, and sovereignty. The museum’s Native American holdings are integrated thoughtfully into exhibitions and often feature contemporary dialogue alongside historical craftsmanship.
First Saturdays
A beloved Brooklyn tradition for over 25 years, the Brooklyn Museum’s First Saturdays offer free art and entertainment on the first Saturday evening of most months. These events feature an extensive lineup of free public programming tied to the museum’s permanent collection and rotating exhibits, including art-making, music, dancing, films, talks, and readings. It’s a vibrant celebration that brings together the community to experience art in a dynamic and inclusive environment.
Visitor Information
- Hours: Wednesday–Sunday: 11 am–6 pm; Closed Monday and Tuesday.
- Admission: Suggested admission is $16 for adults; however, the museum operates on a pay-what-you-wish basis.
- Accessibility: The museum is wheelchair accessible and offers resources for visitors with disabilities.
For those seeking to immerse themselves in rich cultural narratives and dynamic community events, the Brooklyn Museum offers an unparalleled experience that celebrates diversity and artistic expression. From ancient African kingdoms to contemporary voices of color, the Brooklyn Museum offers a profound and enriching experience that centers art, activism, and storytelling from across the African diaspora and beyond.
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