The Art Gallery was founded in 1924.The building was built in 1967 but has outgrown its space and is looking for a new location. It has a permanent collection of 4,300 items of International, contemporary and Canadian Art. In 1902 the first library was set up in two rooms in a downtown building called the McLeod Block and open two days a week as reading rooms. The bookmobile, the first in Canada was introduced in 1941. The Centennial Library was opened in 1967 and today there are 14 branches through the city with 2.0 million items owned by the library with 1.5 million books, paperbacks, records, films tapes and videodiscs in open circulation for the public to access.
Many sculptures are on view at the museum.
The Pioneer Monument by Ollie Holmsten was installed in 1967. It is seven feet tall and made from concrete. The Ksan Totem Pole was set up in recognition of the University Games held in Edmonton in 1983. The totem is of Cedar and containes five figures - a Strong Man, Beaver, Raven, Bear and Owl. This building was a gift from the province of Alberta on the 50th Anniversary of Alberta in 1955.