Brooklyn's cultural life has always been deeply embedded in its educational and social life, a life that has seen many changes through the 19th and 20th centuries. Although it was one of the largest cities in the US before the Civil War, Brooklyn did not have a permanent performance institution, forcing the residents to look to New York City for culture.

This is the first book that investigates the history of Brooklyn's three best-known performing arts institutions: Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College (BCBC), and St. Ann's Center for Restoration and the Arts. Divided into three major sections, this work establishes the cultural history and social context in which these three performing arts institutions developed and thrived.

Beginning first with an overview of the birth of the city itself, the book features background histories on the founding of BAM, BCBC, and St. Ann's with reference to their programming, management, architecture, design, and construction. It also expands upon the institutions' physical renovations and innovations, and the artistic visions of changing managements throughout the years.