Mission

“The Museum of African Art will develop and revolutionize the cultural awareness of our people, bringing them closer to a more global understanding of history and culture, man and society. In the wider range of institutions dedicated to different fields of work and periods, from archaeological or medieval, to contemporary art collections – this Museum, as a collection and a sum of activities – frees us from our inherited eurocentric and ethnocentric beliefs, cultural prejudice and narrow-mindedness, inspiring a deeper and wider outlook on culture, history and man.”

From the speech of the President of the Belgrade Municipal Assembly (city mayor) Živorad Kovačević,
delivered at the opening ceremony in the Museum of African Art, May 23rd 1977.

In its thirty years this institution has made significant contributions to the expansion and nurturing of cultural ties with related relevant institutions abroad, it has worked on the promotion of the principals of multiculturalism and cultural diversity, and also in shifting the focus towards the importance of the African and non-European cultural and artistic heritage, recognized by UNESCO on an international level, as an important constituent of world heritage.

Mission statement

MAA collects, preserves and exhibits artifacts of the culture and arts of Africa.
MAA popularizes and disseminates knowledge on the traditional and contemporary art and culture of Africa and the African diaspora.
MAA cultivates appreciation and understanding of the arts, history and heritage of Africa, and inspires respect for Africa, its peoples and its impact on world culture and art
MAA builds awareness of the cultural diversity, and creates opportunities for a multicultural dialogue