The museum reflects the rich artistic heritage of the South West, with collections of fine and decorative art, as well as natural and social history. The permanent galleries feature 20th-century art including seascapes by Alfred Wallis and sculptures by Dame Barbara Hepworth. There is a large ceramics collection, and the Cottonian Collection, assembled by the 18th-century collector Charles Rogers, comprising oil paintings, Old Master and English drawings, watercolours, prints, sculpture, furniture, ceramics and a library.