The mission of the Princeton University Art Museum is to make the visual arts an essential part of the experience of all Princeton University students; to advance knowledge of art and archaeology; to serve as a world-class destination for members of the local, regional, national, and international communities; and thus to act as a public gateway to the University's intellectual resources.

The Museum does this through the study, preservation, conservation, exhibition, interpretation, and development of its collections; through the preparation and presentation of temporary exhibitions combining cutting-edge scholarship and broad accessibility; and through a dynamic program of educational activities aimed at diverse audiences from novice to expert. Through direct and sustained access to original works of art, and in collaboration with faculty, students, and staff from the Department of Art and Archaeology and many other disciplines, the Museum contributes to the development of critical thinking and visual literacy at Princeton.