On May 8th, 1944, a grant of $1,500 was obtained from the City of Saskatoon to establish the Saskatoon Art Centre, one of the first artist-run centres in Canada. The Directorate of the Saskatoon Art Centre was made up of two representatives from each of the participating associations: the Saskatoon Art Association (Mr. Ernest Lindner and Dr. Scott), the Camera Club (Mr. Green and Professor Leslie Saunders) and the Archeological Society (Mr. Mawdsley and Mr. Sewell). The Art Centre only ceased with the establishment of the Mendel Art Gallery in 1964.

The Saskatoon Art Association and Saskatoon Art Centre sponsored an ambitious programme of non-juried Spring and Fall exhibitions, Saturday morning children's classes in the Bay, demonstration meetings, and discussion groups. As a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and the Western Art Circuit, the Art Centre also sponsored exhibits from outside the province and established a Provincial Exhibition circuit with branches in Regina, Prince Albert, Swift Current and Kindersley. The Western Producer for November 11th, 1948 reported that in the previous year, the Saskatoon Art Centre had "sent on 42 art exhibits seen by over 10,000 people."

One of the most historically significant exhibitions was the 1949 Prospectors exhibit. It was felt that the exhibit demonstrated that Saskatchewan was now capable of being able to support a group of practicing artists. The group of nine was made up of some of Saskatchewan's most renowned artists: Reta Cowley, Antonia Eastman, McGregor Hone, Ernest Lindner, Wynona Mulcaster, William Perehudoff, Bart Pragnell, Les Saunders and George Swinton.