Mission Statement

The Timken Museum of Art preserves the Putnam Foundation Collection of European and American art for the education and benefit of present and future generations of San Diego area residents and visitors. The museum celebrates the important role of art as a way of enriching the lives and nurturing the creative spirit in all of us. 

The Timken Museum of Art board and staff have further defined the mission of the museum by embracing the following values:

• Stewardship of the Putnam Foundation Collection  
• Excellence in all museum endeavors  
• Free access for all visitors  
• Diverse educational opportunities for the public  
• High-quality care and conservation of the collection  
• Growth of the collection through wise and selective acquisitions