Utah’s state-owned art collection began in 1899. Alice Merrill Horne was a candidate for the state legislature on a platform of support for the arts. Once she was elected to the House of Representatives she sponsored a bill to create a state arts organization and to establish a state collection of artwork. In honor of that sponsor, the collection was named the “Alice Merrill Horne Art Collection.” The continued acquisition of artwork by Utah artists comes from purchases selected by the Collection Acquisition Council and generous donations from patrons and artists.

The collection continues to grow annually by purchases and donations and provides impressive documentation of the history of Utah art. The collection is on display at the Governor’s Mansion, the State Capitol building, the Scott Matheson Courthouse, and other state buildings. Selections from the collection are also included in the Traveling Exhibition Program.