When the Gibbes Museum opened in 1905, the nation celebrated what Charleston has always understood: the power of art – to inspire our imagination, heal our hurt, and nourish our souls. Exhibitions are designed as an experimental platform for engaging with art in new and exciting ways and challenging established interpretations. The program strives to promote creativity, introduce new art forms, provide perspective on larger community issues, encourage freedom of thought, and connect with the broadest possible audience. The permanent collection of the Gibbes Museum of Art spans four centuries and provides a dynamic introduction to the visual culture of America and the American South from the colonial era to the present. Paintings, sculptures, miniature portraits, works on paper, decorative art objects, and multi-media installations, created by American artists, express the evolving aesthetic tastes of this city. The Gibbes collection has deep roots in history and has grown and transformed along with the city. New research, methods of interpretation, and discoveries of objects continually increase knowledge, promote social inclusion, and fill gaps in our shared culture. The collection contains artworks inspired by this region’s unique landscape and cultural heritage, as well as cosmopolitan works that demonstrate art patronage through the ages.

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