The Museum for African Art is dedicated to increasing public understanding and appreciation of African art and culture. The Museum is recognized worldwide as the preeminent organizer of exhibitions and publisher of books devoted exclusively to historical and contemporary African art.

Since its founding in 1984, the Museum has brought new awareness to millions of visitors in New York and around the world. The Museum has produced over 60 widely-acclaimed exhibitions and catalogues exploring aspects of Africa's rich artistic traditional and cultural heritage. Since its inception, the Museum's exhibitions have traveled to well over 150 national and international museums, giving them greater access to high quality African shows. Well over 4 million visitors outside New York City have seen exhibitions organized by the Museum for African Art.