Hampshire County Council owns a relatively small but important collection of Hampshire related material, dating from the early 1600s to the present day. The collection has grown steadily over the past 35 years, and while the greater part consists of works in watercolour or pencil, it includes a significant number of oil paintings. Since November 2014 day to day care of the collection has been undertaken by Hampshire Cultural Trust, an independent charity that aims to showcase, connect and empower Hampshire's creative economy. Staff and volunteers within the Trust, supported by Hampshire County Council, Winchester City Council, district and borough council partners and the generosity of a wide range of other funders and benefactors bring the collection to the widest possible audience through an ambitious programme of exhibitions and events and various online resources. Ownership of the collection remains with Hampshire County Council but is loaned to Hampshire Cultural Trust in accordance with a formal Collections Loan Agreement.