About The Pretoria Art Museum

OUR ORIGINS: The Pretoria Art Museum opened its doors to the public on 20 May 1964 following a decision that was taken in 1954 to erect a building which will house the art collection which the then City of Pretoria had amassed since 1932 . The initial collection consisted of 17th century Dutch art as well as works by Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, Peter Wenning, Frans Oerder, Anton van Wouw and Irma Stern. Over the years the collection was stirred towards inclusiveness of all South African artists. With a collection of more than 5 000 artworks that covers Black Pioneer Artists, works from Rorkes Drift Arts and Craft Center, Polly Streets Art Center as well as South African Contemporary Art the Pretoria Art Museum strives to be a leading museum of the visual art.

OUR AIM: Collecting, documenting and conserving outstanding examples of mainly South African art; researching and compiling exhibitions from the permanent collection; hosting major national and international travelling exhibitions, supplemented by educational activities. The Information Centre is an invaluable source of information for people interested in, or researching the visual arts. Educators, students, learners and members of the public may use the vast collection of art reference books. Newspaper clippings on Southern African artists and art make the Pretoria Art Museum’s Information Centre unique.

Vision:
	An art museum of world renown, specialising in South African art.
Mission:
	Collecting, documenting and conserving outstanding examples of mainly South African art; researching and compiling exhibitions from the permanent collection; hosting major national and international travelling exhibitions, supplemented by educational activities.