Novokuznetsk Art Museum was opened in 1961 on the basis of the art gallery in the museum of regional studies. Its collection was rapidly enriching from funds of the Ministry of Culture with works of modern Soviet paintings, drawings, sculpture and applied arts in 1950-60ies. In the first decade the State Tretyakov Gallery gave 10 works of 19th century, which initiated the formation of domestic arts section of 19- early 20 centuries. Later the museum staff acquired works from private collections belonging to L. M. Rozenfeld, J. E. Rubenstein, the Nevzorov's family, the heirs, and from the workshops of famous artists. Today the largest collection of Kemerovo region has 8800 pieces of painting, sculpture, graphic art, decorative and applied art, folk crafts.

    Parts of collections associated with the local artists are actively replenished. Of considerable interest is the national icon, which was once found on the territory of Tomsk province. The icons were collected during expeditions to the area. The section of the Siberian art is represented by the leading artists of the region. A modern tendency of "Siberian neo-archaic art" has been duly recognized by the museum. And this was a start of a new approach to forming the collection which reflects the influence of Siberian Archaic on contemporary art in Siberia. It represents great opportunities for scientific conferences and regional exhibitions. Novokuznetsk Art Museum is a participant and a grantee of Russian, regional, ministerial, local and city competitions of artistic projects