With more than 1,700 works, the Frac des Pays de la Loire collection has been built up since 1982 by respecting an acquisition method favoring the purchase of works of emerging artists. Therefore the Frac endeavored to take into account current art in its most innovative way. Its policy is prospective, the works are acquired during the lifetime of the artists. At the same time, he acquired works of a more historical nature.
The entire collection assembled over thirty-eight years reflects the diversity of contemporary creation and brings together practices as diverse as painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, video, installation and performance.
The collection is now oriented around different axes that have asserted themselves over the years. Thus the interest shown to artists who questioned the relationship between the work and its context (political, social ...), the work and its environment (heritage, architectural ...), the relationship of the artist to nature, but also autobiography and interest in the body.
The Frac des Pays de la Loire has based its acquisition policy on the productions of artists produced during their residency within the framework of the Ateliers Internationaux, some of which it acquires. Which today represents 20% of the collection.
The Frac organizes a distribution of its collection throughout its territory in order to raise awareness of contemporary art to a diverse audience. The collection is also made visible by deposits of works in institutions and administrations and by loans during contemporary art events in France and abroad. In partnership with the Rectorate of the Académie de Nantes, the Frac is also doing everything in its power to ensure that contemporary art is present in schools in the Region.