The fine old building of the Fine Arts Museum is located in the historic center of Petrozavodsk in the former Cathedral Square (now Kirov Square). The Museum of Fine Arts was opened in this building in 1960. The collection of the Museum of Fine Arts amounts of 14.000 exhibits. It comprises six main sections: Russian Art of the XVIII - XX centuries; Icon Painting of Karelia of XV -XIX centuries; Karelian Folk Art; Modern Karelian art; Russian Art of 1920-1990; West European art.

    In 45 years of its activity the Museum has organised about 900 exhibitions in Petrozavodsk, various Russian cities, and abroad - in Germany, Finland, France, and Sweden. Some exhibits from the Museum collection were also displayed in Denmark, Czech Republic, Japan. Currently the museum displays an extensive permanent exposition, presenting all the sections of its collection. The Association of the Friends of the Fine Arts Museum was established in 1999 and consists of both individual and collective members. The Association supports expositional, restoration, educational and other projects of the Museum