[2] The purpose of CNAP was defined as support and promotion of artistic creation in different forms including photography, graphic arts, design and crafts.

[2] The CNAP acquires and commissions works of art, and disseminates them, contributes to modern application of ancient crafts, and to application of new technologies and materials, supports visual artists and provides education to the public and to artists.

[1] The historical collection includes over 21,000 works from the late 18th to early 20th centuries, predominantly by French artists.

Many of the works have been deposited with regional museums, churches and public buildings such as city halls, hospitals and schools.

[1] The modern collection covers the period from the early 20th century to the start of the 1960s, and includes almost 34,000 works by more than 9,000 artists.

The collection has grown through acquisitions, donations and commissions, and attempts to be fully representative regardless of gender, age or region of origin, covering the diverse contemporary artistic trends and creative practices.