Its first Director, Asian art collector, and female museum specialist Gertrude Bass Warner, also influenced the building's design, particularly its innovative climate control measures.

As the museum's first director and "curator for life," Warner sought to bridge cultural divides through art and culture education, as seen in the inaugural set of conditions for the Murray Warner Collection of Oriental Art: "It is my wish, hope and prayer that the officers in charge of this collection, the President of the University, and the professors of the University keep in mind the object of this gift, and keep presenting to the students and the public the ideas of fellowship, friendship and love toward our neighbors across the Pacific—that peace may always be maintained in order that this collection may be a blessing and that love may reign at home and abroad.

It aims to provide an atmosphere of discovery – the JSMA mission statement includes this guiding principle: "We recognize our visitors' different learning styles and the needs of a multigenerational and diverse audience".

It manages research and educational programs and publishes resources in support the university's academic mission, including outreach initiatives to serve the diverse interests of off-campus communities.

[7] The JSMA's standing galleries present from its holdings of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and American art, as well as an extensive collection of contemporary Cuban art,[8][9] including the original vintage photographs from the personal collection of Cuban photographer Alberto Korda.