The Collective is a reimagining of the historic Provincetown women's art club called The Sail Loft, founded in 1916. At that time, the original Sail Loft was created specifically as a social and intellectual hub for women artists. The original club met in a space where sailmakers stitched canvas to catch the wind. In that same loft, women gathered to share their art and ideas - to support one another and build momentum.

In November 2022, the Collective was formed as an un-named group. Local painter Valerie Isaacs gathered 50 women and non-binary artists together for a festive dinner at The Provincetown Commons to form a group for professional working artists. The Collective honors the Sail Loft Club’s legacy of creating a dedicated space for women which has easily evolved into a welcoming space for non-binary artists as well. The group recognizes and celebrates the under-represented contributions of women and non-binary artistic voices, an essential thread in the Outer Cape's artistic tapestry.