About the Albany Museum of Art
Formed in the early 1960s, the Southwest Georgia Art Association obtained its not-for-profit status in March 1964. With a volunteer staff and donated space in a defunct hosiery mill, the group established a program of exhibitions, lectures, and art instruction. In 1969, through the generosity of W. Banks Haley, Jr., the association constructed a gallery in a small city park. Its first paid staff members were hired in 1975. Exhibitions were drawn from collections and/or faculty of area universities; SITES (Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service); corporate collections including those of IBM, Coca-Cola, and Gulf States Paper Company. The Gallery hosted the Southeastern Annual exhibitions and Georgia Designer Craftsmen shows. Art instruction for children and adults was provided by instructors with professional standing. In addition, the programs included film and lecture series, chamber music, and dinner theatre. In 1980, at the beginning of a capital campaign for a new building, the association's name was officially changed to the Albany Museum of Art.
In 1983, the citizens of Albany and Southwest Georgia opened a new museum facility with an exhibition of American Impressionism from the Phillips Collection and a permanent installation of its own collection of traditional African art. The growing collection of the AMA now includes 19th and 20th century American and European paintings, drawings, sculptures, watercolors, prints, and photographs and what has become one of the largest collections of traditional African art in the Southeast outside of a university setting. Today the Albany Museum of Art offers over twenty art exhibitions annually, including its permanent collection exhibits. The Museum facility contains a 200-seat auditorium and a classroom for studio arts.
The Albany Museum of Art takes pride that it is a well-managed system that operates with distinction. For more than 20 years, this Southwest Georgia gem has served as a national model by meeting the highest standards of the museum field by gaining and maintaining accreditation—a mark held by only three percent of institutions nationwide.
The museum is nationally accredited with a growing collection, including an impressive collection of 19th and 20th Century American and European art. The Museum also houses one of the largest collections of traditional African art in the Southeast outside of a university setting. Believing that art is vital to the human experience, the museum strives to cultivate curiosity and passion for art in its many forms. In addition to the numerous exhibitions and programs hosted throughout the year, the AMAzing Space Gallery provides interactive learning through hands-on experiences for children of all ages.
Our Mission:
From an amazing space we will exhibit and educate about art. We are a museum of art and a museum for people.
In 1983, the citizens of Albany and Southwest Georgia opened a new museum facility with an exhibition of American Impressionism from the Phillips Collection and a permanent installation of its own collection of traditional African art. The growing collection of the AMA now includes 19th and 20th century American and European paintings, drawings, sculptures, watercolors, prints, and photographs and what has become one of the largest collections of traditional African art in the Southeast outside of a university setting. Today the Albany Museum of Art offers over twenty art exhibitions annually, including its permanent collection exhibits. The Museum facility contains a 200-seat auditorium and a classroom for studio arts.
The Albany Museum of Art takes pride that it is a well-managed system that operates with distinction. For more than 20 years, this Southwest Georgia gem has served as a national model by meeting the highest standards of the museum field by gaining and maintaining accreditation—a mark held by only three percent of institutions nationwide.
The museum is nationally accredited with a growing collection, including an impressive collection of 19th and 20th Century American and European art. The Museum also houses one of the largest collections of traditional African art in the Southeast outside of a university setting. Believing that art is vital to the human experience, the museum strives to cultivate curiosity and passion for art in its many forms. In addition to the numerous exhibitions and programs hosted throughout the year, the AMAzing Space Gallery provides interactive learning through hands-on experiences for children of all ages.
Our Mission:
From an amazing space we will exhibit and educate about art. We are a museum of art and a museum for people.
