Collection

The AFA collects, manages and shares the largest collection of visual artwork by Albertan artists anywhere in the world.

Visit the AFA's virtual museum

Established in 1972, the AFA Art Collection is a unique representation of the history, development and achievements of our provincial visual arts community. Today, the AFA is proud to manage one of the strongest, most active provincial art collections in Canada.

Our mission is to foster an appreciation and awareness of the visual arts in Alberta by collecting, managing and providing public access to our treasure of artworks.

Explore the collection

Our collection profiles the careers of hundreds of Alberta's most celebrated and important artists, and includes artworks in a variety of media that reflect the history and development of the province for more than 100 years. 

Artwork loans

With an incredible 20-25% of our collection in public circulation in any given year, the AFA is proud share our treasure of artworks through exhibition loans, extended loans, touring and art placement programs.

Acquisitions

Our vision for acquiring artwork for the AFA collection is to build an internationally respected art collection which reflects the development and achievements of Alberta's visual arts.

Collection management

Our collection development, care and management policies are designed maximize the longevity, use and enjoyment of our treasure of collected artworks. 

50th Anniversary of the AFA Art Collection

On September 29, 2022, we marked the 50th Anniversary of the AFA Art Collection. We are continuing our celebrations in 2023 by promoting the collection's history and the Albertan art and artists within...

Here & Now

In partnership with the Royal Alberta Museum (RAM), we presented 16 works acquired to the AFA Art Collection in 2023.