To provide storage and curation for anthropological and ethnographic artifacts fashioned by and utilized within traditional contexts in various cultures worldwide;

To develop and mount exhibits for the UNCW campus and other locations;

To provide an opportunity whereby artifacts may be used for research, study and teaching by faculty, students and members of the community;

To serve as a temporary repository for cultural materials and a permanent or temporary custodian of collections received from or loaned by other individuals, institutions or agencies;

To stimulate the university community and the general public to read and learn about world cultures.