The Rugby Art Collection was founded in 1946 as a way of making art accessible to everyone.
It has become a nationally significant collection, bosses added, and included works by L.S. Lowry, Lucian Freud, Barbara Hepworth, Bridget Riley, Paula Rego, Lubaina Himid, Maggi Hambling and Gillian Wearing.
“It’s a celebration of creativity, curiosity and community, showing how a public collection can remain alive and relevant today,” said Maggie O’Rourke, council portfolio holder for partnerships and wellbeing.
“The Rugby Collection is owned by Rugby Borough Council on behalf of its residents, and I hope that many of our residents will want to visit and view the collection for the first time.”
A new book will also launch alongside the exhibition, marking 80 years of the collection.
It covers the history of the collection, some of its most exciting acquisitions and the people who have helped shape it.
The new exhibition will be free of charge to visit.