Mission
The Cahoon Museum celebrates American art in ways that expand knowledge, enrich the spirit, and engage the heart. [1]
The Museum serves as a dynamic environment for all people to experience, enjoy, and become curious about art. We bring to life and preserve a rich historic collection and create a conversation between old and new by cultivating art from contemporary artists who engage connections to New England’s heritage and the wider story of American art.
Vision
We envision the Cahoon Museum of American Art as a vibrant art museum, welcoming everyone for lifelong learning and engagement.
Values
- Welcoming visitors of all backgrounds to experiences where there are opportunities for learning
- Preserving, interpreting, and using multi-dimensional strategies to make the Museum’s collections broadly accessible through exhibitions
- Celebrating American ingenuity, creativity, and artistic expression
- Imparting a deeper understanding of New England’s heritage and contribution to American art
- Collecting art and artifacts of the highest artistic merit and historical importance
- Embracing the creative spirit of Cape Cod folk artists Ralph and Martha Cahoon by engaging living artists who create art and craft in nontraditional ways
- Achieving and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism through the adoption of best practices, accountability, operational excellence, teamwork, collaboration and communication
- Incorporating business acumen in the operations and planning strategy at the Cahoon Museum
[1] Adopted November 2023
