Its main purpose was to promote and serve as a platform for spread the work of contemporary artists, as part of the University of Chile's policy to contribute to the development of cultural life in Chilean society.

The pieces date from the late 19th century through to the modern day, and include the work of artists such as Roberto Matta, Nemesio Antúnez, Matilde Pérez, José Balmes and important international art figures as Oswaldo Guayasamín (Ecuador), Emilio Pettoruti (Argentina), Friedensreich Hundertwasser (Austria), Isamu Noguchi (US), David Batchelor (England), Jesús Ruiz Nestosa (Paraguay) and Dino Bruzzone (Argentina).

The museum uses art as a medium of expression and social inclusion, promoting debate and reflection on all the fields of human knowledge.

It explores new ways of creating art, managing for this purpose, both, his collection and curatorial line, regarding the national and international exhibitions invited, from a contemporary look, that is reflected since the origins of the museum, through the samples exposed.

Through this dual mission, the museum aims to deliver on its commitment to build bridges between society and new forms of artistic expression, hosting different and sometimes unconventional community involvement activities.

The MAC defines itself as an institution permanently open to the public with the following objectives: The Partenón in Quinta Normal Park was the location of the first fine arts museum in Chile and one of the first in the Americas.

In 1910, as part of the celebrations for Chile’s first centenary, the current Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts was inaugurated in Parque Forestal and took on the functions of the old Quinta Normal Park building.