Our Collections
The Permanent Collections of The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum were founded on a remarkably succinct and bold mission statement: to collect the art of our time and place. This mission continues to guide the display and interpretation of the over 5,000 artworks that are included in the Collections—as well as the accession of exciting new works.
James Tiernan O'Rourke's substantial personal collection remains the seedbed of the Permanent Collections, given as the bequest of his estate in 2016. Combined with the generous gifts of other collectors and artists and with museum purchases, the Permanent Collections of The Rourke represent an array of global cultures, regional icons, and cosmopolitan art movements.
James Tiernan O'Rourke's substantial personal collection remains the seedbed of the Permanent Collections, given as the bequest of his estate in 2016. Combined with the generous gifts of other collectors and artists and with museum purchases, the Permanent Collections of The Rourke represent an array of global cultures, regional icons, and cosmopolitan art movements.
Currently on Display
- Paintings by Aaron Holz in the Archives & Reading Room
- Aquatic Art
- The Early Work and Influences of Charles Beck
- Ben Shahn's "For the Sake of a Single Verse" portfolio
- Tiny and Ancient: Roman Glass & Egyptian Ushtabi
Current Permanent Collection displays are made possible in part by a Legacy Grant which funded new and improved storage furniture and containers for the museum's climate-controlled storage space.
This activity is funded in part by a grant from the Lake Region Arts Council through a Minnesota state legislative appropriation.