The Anchorage Museum collection highlights the environment, people and cultures of the Circumpolar North. The collection has grown since the Museum’s founding in 1968 to span over 26,000 objects and over 700,000 photographs and archives. The collection serves as a focal point for honoring the stories and legacies of these works for the public and for future generations—connecting people, building relationships and common understanding.
VISION
The growth of the collection is focused on objects and works that help tell the story of the environment, people and cultures of the Circumpolar North, and that will inform conversations and ideas about the North and its future.
ACCESS, STEWARDSHIP + PUBLIC TRUST
The Anchorage Museum stewards the collection, which is held in the public trust. Research and access is encouraged and welcome. We are happy to host visitors, researchers, artists, scientists and interested members of the public to view the collection, and to contact us with inquiries and questions.
QUESTIONS
For questions about the Museum's collection, feel free to call (907) 929-9240.
The Collection Online
The Museum's collection is divided into nine different themes: Indigenous Contemporary Art; Design; Film; Photography; Contemporary Paintings, Prints and Drawings; Sound and Performance; Science and Technology; Maps and Books; and Historical Objects. Explore a selection of the collection online.
Library & Archives
The Anchorage Museum Library includes more than 15,000 books, rare books, maps and periodicals, while the Archive collection includes more than 700,000 photographs and print materials on Alaska and the Circumpolar North.
Access & Research
Information, advice and additional resources for conducting research in the Museum’s Collection, Library and Archives.
Acquisitions Committee
The Anchorage Museum has a rolling, open call for members of the public to participate in the Museum’s Acquisitions Committee.
Rights & Reproductions
The Anchorage Museum can provide print and digital image files of works from the museum's collection on request.