The University of New Mexico features 30,000 objects that comprise the largest fine art collections in New Mexico. Through its collection, the Museum is able to achieve the education about art and support academic programs of the University of New Mexico. The Museum also enriches the cultural life of its city and state and it contributed to the international scholarly community.

Its collection boasts of more than 100,000 photographs, including early daguerreotypes and contemporary digital images which were taken from notable masters of photography as well as anonymous photojournalists and amateurs. The Museum also houses the Beaumont Newhall Collection, which contains works from Beaumond Newhall. The collection was established in honor of his contributions to the history of photography and also to reflect his scholarly interests.

Visitors will also be able to view the Theodore J. Labhard Collection, which was formed by a collector from California. Originally, it was a study collection that occupies the Department of Art and Art History within the University. This collection is made up of the vast majority of cased images at the Museum.

Aside from these, the Museum features other collections such as the Jerome Bowers Peterson Memorial Collection, the Tamarind Archive Collection, The Clinton Adams Archive Collection, and many more.