Annie Leibovitz permanent collection heading to Halifax

The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia will become the permanent home to an exhibit of work by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz, CBC News has learned.

Premier Darrell Dexter is scheduled to make the announcement Thursday morning.

Sources tell CBC News the photos by the New York photographer will be brought to Halifax because of a generous private donation.

Leibovitz faced a massive debt several years ago which led to the sale of some of her vast collection.

Sources tell CBC News that one of her stipulations for this collection was that it be displayed in a small gallery. CBC understands the value of the collection to be in the millions of dollars.

The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia would not confirm the acquisition. A spokesperson repeated that the gallery was poised to make an announcement Thursday morning.

It's unlikely Leibovitz will be at the announcement Thursday. She's scheduled to appear at a gala opening in San Jose, California on Wednesday night.

Leibovitz's collection of photos include iconic shots of Demi Moore, nude and pregnant, and John Lennon and Yoko Ono, taken hours before he died.

It's unknown which photos will be displayed in Halifax, but Ian Muncaster, the director of the Zwicker Gallery, said any pieces by the iconic photographer will be a draw.

"I'm amazed," Muncaster said. "It's really quite remarkable that such a gift is coming to Nova Scotia."

He said it will be a boost for the local art community, as they'll have a chance to study Leibovitz's work.

"The art gallery is an anchor in the provincial tourism business and there's no question that a gift like this is going to add immensely as a draw, as an attraction," he said.

Leibovitz was unavailable to comment on Wednesday.