The Shepparton Art Gallery was established in 1936 with a fifty pound grant from the State Government.
Sir John Longstaff (Self portrait pictured), and Robert D. Elliot were instrumental in securing the initial money and Longstaff became advisor to the Council on acquisitions. The first work purchsed for the collection was 'A Wet Day at Tallarook' by John Rowell. By 1949 the collection totalled 37 works and was displayed in the Town Hall. The policy aimed to secure a historical selection of Australian Art with a few European paintings.
By 1960 the collection was one of the few left in regional Victoria that lacked a purpose built gallery. With the redevelopment of the Civic Centre in 1965, a gallery was incorporated. Significant changes took place in the 1970s with decorative arts and crafts featuring as the main collecting area. The creation of a State Government Ministry for the Arts saw an increase in funding to the gallery.
The present building was completed in 2001 with funding from the Federal Government, through the Federation Fund.