The People’s Collection

Marking 25 years since the founding of the National Gallery in 1997, this exhibition explores the growth of our permanent collection over the past quarter-century—a period in which NGCI has consistently strived to ensure the safety and care of this precious cultural resource on behalf of the Caymanian people. Falling on the eve of the Gallery’s tenth anniversary in our purpose-built facility, the opening of The People’s Collection also highlights the impact this relocation has had in facilitating NGCI’s strategic collecting efforts over the past decade. In contrast to our earlier rented venues—where restricted space prevented significant acquisitions—NGCI’s new home has allowed for a more deliberate approach to collections development: one aimed at constructing a coherent and historically grounded survey of Caymanian art and wider cultural heritage.

Subsequently, over the last decade, the permanent collection has grown by over 240%. Acquired through philanthropic donations, planned bequests, artists commissions, and recent support from the Cayman Islands Government, it draws primarily from NGCI temporary thematic exhibitions, studio visits and wider national projects like the Cayman Islands Biennial. Throughout, we have worked closely with local artists and those in the Caymanian diaspora to ensure that exemplary artworks are secured in perpetuity while celebrating their role in both preserving our cultural history and facilitating contemporary artistic dialogue.

Highlighting over fifty acquisitions that range from historical artefacts to popular favourites and award-winning artworks, the exhibition tells the story of our collecting journey as well as the creative ways NGCI has sought to ensure the collection is accessible via exhibitions, publications, and community engagement programmes. It further illustrates the ways in which the institution continues to adapt to meet contemporary demands by taking steps to ensure our collection can now be experienced both physically and virtually. Whilst the continuation of in-person engagement remains a critical priority, NGCI now occupies a hybrid space that is inherently democratic and participatory, ensuring that the National Collection– which is held in trust for the people of the Cayman Islands – remains open and accessible to all.