The Albany Museum of Art (AMA) was originally incorporated by the State of Georgia in 1964 as the Southwest Georgia Art Association as a volunteer community group. The non-profit association was housed in a defunct hosiery mill and established a program of exhibitions, lectures and art classes. In 1969, through the generosity of W. Banks Haley, Jr., the association constructed a 5,000 square-foot facility on a small city park. Its first professional staff members were hired in 1975.

Thronateeska Heritage Center provides 3 museum experiences: the History Depot; the Imagination Station( a science discovery center); and the Wetherbee planetarium.