The McMaster Museum of Art houses McMaster University’s permanent collection of more than 6000 objects that encompass the history of art from the late 15th to the 21st century, and coins and antiquities from Mediterranean cultures and China.

Collection development reflects the MMA’s current strategic plan with an emphasis on decolonial work and diversification.

The MMA is recognized internationally for its specialist collection of early twentieth-century German prints and outstanding European paintings, drawings and prints, including a donation by Hamilton businessman Dr. Herman Herzog Levy O.B.E. of his own private collection.

The McMaster Museum of Art is committed to the ongoing work required to learn, review, improve, and revise language and practices relating to the cataloguing of artwork and objects in a way that is inclusive and accurate. This statement is a first step toward these larger goals and frames our collective commitment to an authentic reckoning with our past and an active stance toward doing better for the future.

Historically, the M(M)A has catalogued and described works according to standardized, western colonial museum practices. We acknowledge that some of the language used throughout the collection database may be inaccurate or harmful and contribute to perpetuating discrimination and cultural bias. As such we are in the process of learning and implementing ethical cataloging practices so that we can more accurately describe works in our collection, and redress historical inequities and injustices in the ways language is used.