Nickle Galleries is a creative hub at the heart of the University of Calgary campus. It strives to be a leader and active participant in the cultural life of Calgary and Western Canada. Founded in 1979 with a generous donation by Mr. Samuel C. Nickle and a matching grant from The Province of Alberta, The Nickle Arts Museum was envisioned as a university arts museum that would “contribute to the education and the overall benefit of both students and community at large.” What began as a small art collection held in the basement of the Library Block, has grown to a permanent collection of just under 30,000 artifacts, organized across three collections: art, numismatics, and textiles. Producing 8-10 temporary exhibitions annually, these include projects originated by Nickle curators, invited guest curators and travelling exhibitions. The Nickle hosts the annual BFA Honors and MFA Graduating Student exhibitions (on behalf of the Department of Art and Art History). Exhibitions draw on and expand the Nickle’s permanent collections.