The first Sunday of every month, admission to the museum is free. If you can find a kid to take along, you'll enjoy a chance to indulge your own inner artist. "Picture This" is a monthly event for kids ages 6 through 12. A brief talk about a theme within the current exhibition or permanent collections precedes a hands-on activity illustrating how an artist expresses an idea through a variety of media. The museum is worth the modest $8 admission (less for students and seniors) any Tuesday through Sunday. Permanent collections focus on the Western Hemisphere, with works from ancient to modern times. Major exhibitions are invariably accessible enough to engage the most casual to the most astute aficionados.

Runners up:

2. University of Arizona Museum of Art, 1031 N. Olive Road, 621-7567, artmuseum.arizona.edu

3. Center for Creative Photography, 1030 N. Olive St., 621-7968, www.creativephotography.org