Collection
The Ackland Art Museum’s collection of over 19,000 works spans time and culture, showcasing the breadth and depth of human expression.
About the Collection
The collection of the Ackland Art Museum now includes approximately 19,000 works of art. The Museum makes acquisitions on the basis of three criteria:
- artistic excellence (compelling visual form and thematic content),
- relationship to the existing collection and the exhibition program, and
- potential for teaching and learning.
In the words of an early mission statement, the Museum acquires objects “chosen for their quality and their ability to convey the breadth of human achievement in the visual arts.” This encyclopedic ambition has given the Museum a substantial collection well-suited for our diverse communities. The collection forms the foundation for our exhibition program and our service to University students and faculty.