The HIGH MUSEUM OF ART is hoping to pull some serious attendance with the Nov. 12 unveiling of its $130 million expansion designed by revered Italian architect Renzo Piano. Three new buildings linked to the original Richard Meier-designed museum will more than double the museum’s size. Expect blockbuster crowds for the inaugural exhibition, a retrospective of the 88-year-old legend Andrew Wyeth. Let’s hope that what’s good for the High is good for the rest of Atlanta’s arts scene. less...

Under the tutelage of director Andrea Barnwell, SPELMAN COLLEGE MUSEUM OF FINE ART has overcome a location far from the city center, by making the museum a destination and turning out memorable shows, including a pair of solo shows centered on two generations of African-American female artists, "iona rozeal brown ... a3 black on both sides" and "Carrie Mae Weems: The Louisiana Project & Dreaming in Cuba". "350 Spelman Lane, 404-270-5607. www.museum.spelman.edu" less...

It wouldn't be hard to give the High a run for its money, since that institution seems to have all of the bling-bling but none of the mojo. THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART OF GEORGIA is managing to find a balance between honoring the achievements of established artists and focusing on new talent. Highlights this year included the top-notch "Color, Complexity, Color" show and Kojo Griffin's installation project. "1447 Peachtree St., 404-881-1109. www.mocaga.org" less...

Big, fun and loaded with beautiful women, the PINK PONY THEATRE AND MUSEUM is the best choice for satisfying your sleazy side and still telling people you went to "the museum." If there is a museum in there, no one would know; they're all watching the show, "err" theater. If you want attention, you'll have to drop a wad (so to speak), but skinflints won't get the evil eye. Women are welcome, too, and quite a few come. To the Pink Pony, that is. "1837 Corporate Blvd., 404-634-6396. www.showbars.com" less...

1280 Peachtree St. 133 Peachtree St. 404-733-4550 www.highmuseum.org. It's tempting to award this category to the new Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia just in the hope that the venue (to open January 2002) will fill a huge gap and bring us challenging contemporary art shows in a museum setting. But for now, the High gets the nod for staging some good shows this year. Most notable: "The Art of William Edmondson" and "Carrie Mae Weems: The Hampton Project" at the downtown galleries and, in Midtown, "The Lenore and Burton Gold Collection of 20th Century Art " and "Contemporary Drawings by Italian Architects". less...