The permanent collection of the Art Museum of Southeast Texas consists of nearly 1,700 objects. Artworks within the collection include paintings, collages, textile works, large and small sculptures, drawings, photographs, decorative arts, folk art, and mixed media objects. AMSET began acquiring works in 1950 and continues to add artworks through donations and museum purchases. Over the past decade, a concentrated effort has been placed on narrowing the focus of the permanent collection to assemble a cohesive but integrated body of artwork. Areas of concentration include 19th – 21st c. modern and contemporary North American and Mexican art with a focus on this region. The permanent collection includes the recently acquired John G. Fairey Collection of Mexican Folk Art, which numbers 474 objects.

For appreciators of folk art, including Early American, Mexican, Texan and Regional/Southeast Texan folk art, AMSET is a must-see destination.