Art& Culture

Art & Culture

The Department of Art & Culture is one of two curatorial departments under the Collections and Research Division. The ROM holds nearly 1 million objects of art and culture from around the world, dating from pre-historic civilizations to present day contemporary artworks. Curatorial staff are responsible for researching, cataloguing and housing the existing collections and continue to acquire new objects and artworks through donations, purchases, and commissions. With the ROM’s expansive collections, curatorial staff create world class original exhibitions, produce leading research projects and award-winning publications, and support public programs that engage the local and global communities.

Sculpture of two abstract human figures intertwined, made of dark, textured material.

Indigenous Americas

35,000 Artworks and Objects

Ancient bronze rectangular axe head with a weathered, textured surface.

Archaeology of the Americas

386,000 Artworks and Objects

Waterfalls cascading over cliffs with clouds and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

Canada

40,000 Artworks and Objects

Wooden bird sculpture with a long curved beak and worn yellow and black paint.

Ancient Egypt & Nubia

71,000 Artworks and Objects

White marble bust sculpture of a woman with intricate braided hair, wearing draped clothing.

Ancient Greece & Rome

53,000 Artworks and Objects

Carved ivory lion head with open mouth showing teeth and detailed mane.

Ancient Near East

242,000 Artworks and Objects

Carved jade dragon-shaped ornament with curving body and detailed facial features.

China

43,000 Artworks and Objects

Silver ornamental bowl with two handles and intricate floral engravings surrounding a monogram with the letters "MA."

Europe

62,000 Artworks and Objects

Bronze figurine of a horse with a rider, featuring an extended cylindrical element from the horse's front.

Global Africa

13,000 Artworks and Objects

Embroidery of a white crane flying over stylized blue and green clouds with red flowers on a dark background.

Global Fashion & Textiles

50,000 Artworks and Objects

Three women in traditional attire holding small containers, with floral decorations on a beige background.

Global South Asia

14,000 Artworks and Objects

Ancient ceramic jar decorated with painted figures of animals and humans in motion around the body.

Islamic World

8,000 Artworks and Objects

Carved wooden sculpture of a bald monk sitting cross-legged with eyes closed and arms folded.

Japan

11,000 Artworks and Objects

Small, dark square seal with carved Chinese characters.

Korea

1,400 Artworks and Objects

Rectangular woven textile with a central figure in blue and white, flanked by two vertical blue stripes on a brown background.

Asia-Pacific

7,000 Artworks and Objects

Portrait of a man in traditional attire, wearing a headpiece and a patterned sash across his chest.

Southeast Asia

2,000 Artworks and Objects

A collection of traditional Japanese swords with black and beige handles and sheaths, displayed horizontally on a foam pad.

Support ROM's mission by donating artifacts or funds, contributing to the Museum's ongoing efforts to enrich and diversify its collections.

Black and white photo of Dorothy Burnham mounting a costume in the museum.

Cloth Cultures: Future Legacies of Dorothy K. Burnham

National Museum of Korea’s Digital Asset Project

Veronika Gervers: Research Fellowship in Textiles & Fashion History

Collection room in museum

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