[3] The structure itself was suitable for an arts center because the jail was already fireproof, secure and centrally located in Pensacola’s Historic Downtown District.

[citation needed][3] In July 2016, the Pensacola Museum of Art transferred ownership to the University of West Florida.

The museum's permanent collection is centered on 20th century, modern and contemporary art, including painting, sculpture and works on paper.

The collection contains 20th and 21st century works by artists such as Alexander Calder, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Leonard Baskin, Salvador Dalí, Thomas Hart Benton, Louis Comfort Tiffany and Käthe Kollwitz.

Other artists in the collection include John Marin, Miriam Schapiro, Fairfield Porter, Hunt Slonem, Alex Katz, Lynda Benglis, Milton Avery and Alexander Calder.