Contemporary Collecting at the Walker
The origins of the Walker Art Gallery’s collection go back to the early 19th century. The gallery has actively collected historic and contemporary art since it opened in 1877. We continue to grow the collection with new acquisitions that reflect changes in art and culture and celebrate artistic excellence.
About the collection
The Walker’s collection is mainly made up of Western European art from the Medieval period to the present day. Today, we collect contemporary art to reflect current artistic practice, and to respond to and illuminate the historic collection.
Our collecting activity is guided by the Walker’s Collecting Policy. This document is regularly reviewed to ensure it is relevant and responsive to our audiences. Much of our collecting today seeks to provide a richer, rounder historical context. We also collect works that help to build the profile of the gallery and works which will make a significant impact on displays. We collect contemporary and historic art in a range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, prints and drawings, as well as decorative arts such as ceramics and textiles. We have also begun to collect installation, performance and video art to reflect the increasing exploration of these mediums by contemporary artists.
We make acquisitions in a range of ways. The main methods are gifts, bequests and purchases. We receive artworks as gifts made to us by individuals or bequests left in wills. Some gifts are from artists or collectors. We purchase artworks from dealers, individuals and auction houses. Most acquisitions require us to raise funds, often working with organisations such as Art Fund and the Contemporary Art Society. Legacies, bequests and gifts of money from private donors also allow us to collect.
We recognise that our collection has gaps and are working to address them. This includes collecting works by artists of the Global Majority and LGBTQ+ communities, artists living with physical and mental disabilities, and works that address these histories. Initiatives such as Art Fund’s New Collecting Awards can help us to do this through focused funding and research. We also collect works related to Liverpool and the North West’s rich artistic heritage.