The Italian American Museum is dedicated to exploring the rich cultural heritage of Italy and Italian Americans by presenting the individual and collective struggles and achievements of Italians and their heirs to the American way of life. By collecting, preserving, and interpreting tangible objects and reminiscences, the Italian American Museum displays notable contributions of Italians and Italian Americans to American culture. The Italian American Museum is a cultural and educational institution promoting constructive pluralism by educating Americans to the heritage of Italian Americans and their European roots, values, language, and traditions. The Italian American Museum sponsors exhibitions, festivals, lectures, symposia and educational travel programs to Europe with a focus on Italy and its contributions to the world, as well as house precious collections of objects and memorabilia on the Italian American experience.

On December 1, 2003, The City University’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved an Affiliation Agreement with the Italian American Museum.

The Affiliation Agreement cites a number of possible joint activities among the Museum, CUNY, and the Calandra Institute. They include: internships at the Museum for CUNY students; preservation and interpretation of the Archives and other Museum collections; development of educational materials and programs; lectures, seminars, musical programs, film festivals, theater, and art exhibitions; educational study and travel programs to Italy; activities in onjunction with local schools and cultural institutions; creation of pre-doctoral dissertation and post-doctoral fellowships; and the creation of faculty fellowships for research and scholarship.

The Italian American Museum received its Provisional Charter from the New York State Board of Regents on June 12, 2001 and is a 503 (c) 3.