The policy ensures the effective management, development, and accessibility of the Whitehorse Art and Civic Collections. It provides guidelines for exhibitions and aims to preserve these cultural assets for current and future generations.

The policy covers:

• The Whitehorse Art Collection, featuring historic and contemporary artworks, including ceramics, portraits, urban and natural landscapes, and works by renowned Australian Impressionists. Works in the Art Collection are in established media such as painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography and ceramics.
• The Civic Collection, which includes historical items, memorabilia, official gifts, and items commemorating civic events.

The Whitehorse Art Collection was established by the former City of Box Hill in 1927 and was developed from a core of artworks created by artists who attended the famous Box Hill Artists’ Camp in the 1880s. Included are artworks by Frederick McCubbin, Tom Roberts and Arthur Streeton. The main subject of the early artworks is the landscape.

The Collection is a notable public collection, with a wealth of historic and contemporary art. In recent years, the Collection has developed with the acquisition of contemporary landscapes, the urban and suburban landscape, and a large number of ceramics. The region is renowned for tile manufacturing, potteries and brickworks.

Generous donations and an acquisitions budget have ensured the longevity of this significant Collection for the benefit of future generations. The Whitehorse Art Collection currently comprises over 2100 items.

The Civic Collection contains historical items and memorabilia that is associated with the civic history of Whitehorse City Council. This includes official gifts, objects that commemorate civic events and sporting achievements, and Japanese decorative arts that honour Whitehorse City Council’s Sister City relationship with Matsudo, Japan. There are over 850 items held in the Civic Collection.

Artworks are acquired through purchase, donation, or commission. The proposed updates to the policy would prioritise the following acquisitions:

• Emerging and established Victorian artists
• Art that embraces multicultural perspective
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander works
• Addressing the historical gap in representation of artworks by women in the Collection
  
• Other areas of focus for future development, including environment, portraiture, Australian impressionism and craft

The collections are displayed in exhibitions and public spaces. Information about the collections is made available for research, and loans are facilitated for significant exhibitions.

Yes, it aligns with the International Council of Museums (ICOM) Code of Ethics and the National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries.