The mission of African Americans for the Arts is to be a united, proactive voice for cultural matters affecting the African American and Diasporic African Community.

The mission will be accomplished by:

• Advocating for the Arts community
• Presenting forums increasing arts awareness and their importance
• Encouraging collaboration between individual artists, groups and communities
• Increasing financial support to artists and art organizations
• Assisting local arts organizations in strengthening their programs, membership, publicity and infrastructure
• Stimulating arts interest and activity through seminars, exhibitions and performances
• Providing technical assistance to arts groups and artists
• Creating a supportive environment for the art community
• Ensuring our creative arts support be commensurate with the quality of work
• Ensuring our artists and institutions are better represented in the process of receiving funding