The National Gallery of the Komi Republic, formerly known as the Komi Republican Art Museum, was founded in Syktyvkar in 1943. Its predecessor was the Republican Art Museum, and the initial formation of the collection focused on the visual arts of Komi.

The gallery first opened its doors to visitors in November 1947 with an exhibition of works by local artists. Over time, in addition to national art, sections of pre-revolutionary Russian, Soviet, and foreign art were added to the collection.

The result of many years of work on gathering, attributing, and restoring was the first permanent exhibition covering all sections of the collection. It was opened on August 22, 1993, in the reconstructed building of the former Spiritual School, built between 1888 and 1990 according to the design of Vologda architect Fedorov.

Today, the Gallery's holdings number about 10,000 exhibits, including painting, graphics, sculpture, decorative and applied arts, and folk art. The main focus of the gallery's work today is the study and popularization of the collections, as well as their presentation to a wide audience.