Collection

the Art Museum Collection

Our museum features works from diverse aesthetic and cultural origins encompassing over 10,000 years of human history. Our growing collection of more than 12,500 objects represents the wide range of materials used in the creation of art. We present our collections in exhibitions and programming to spark curiosity and inspire dialogue. Since the foundation of our collections in 1939 as a resource for teaching, we have been a hub for exploration of art. 

In keeping with the Open Access initiative at the University of Colorado, we're beginning to offer high-res images of our collection for download through our online collection portal. Please refer to our terms and conditions document and start searching our collection!

We are continually growing our collection through gifts and acquisitions that support our commitment to being a nexus of learning and collaboration for the communities we serve.

Collection Accessibility

Boulder is committed to making information and resources that are available via the web accessible for all users. The advanced search used to view the collection is currently not fully accessible for individuals who are using screen readers and other assistive technologies. If you use assistive technology please use the search version "Accessible Version" to view the collection.

Please note: The Art Museum does not provide appraisal, provenance or attribution services. To find a licensed appraiser in your area, please contact the, the or the.

The Collection Study Center

Students study a painting on an A-frame rack
Woman gesturing to prints laying out on a table while speaking to a group of students

We are proud to highlight our Collection Study Center, where we facilitate the study and research of our permanent collection by faculty, students and scholars. The study center is a fully wired “smart classroom” and can accommodate classes up to 20 students. It’s also available by appointment for individual research by students and scholars; and it houses a library, which includes a selection of catalogs, monographs and brochures relating to our permanent collection.

Please make your reservations to use the Collection Study Center at least two weeks in advance.

Make a reservation today!

The Art Museum Collections

Ancient & Classical

Our Ancient and Classical Collection provides an overview of the ancient and classical world and offers many opportunities for cross-cultural study.

Art of the Americas

Art of the Americas is represented by a diverse array of North, Central and South American art, including 19th- and 20th-century paintings, drawings, prints and photography, as well as contemporary art.

Asian

We have a rich array of Asian art in our collection, ranging from neolithic objects to leading-edge contemporary works.

Modern & Contemporary

Our globally diverse collection of modern and contemporary art encompasses drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, photography, video and digital media.

The Sharkive

The Sharkive is an internationally important collection of prints created in the studio of Bud and Barbara Shark. It comprises over 2,700 prints and related materials from 40 years of collaborative work in lithography, monotype and woodcut.