The Museum of the City of Mantova is conceived based on museum criterion that creates a certified and internationally known citizen memorial.

It satisfies the museum standards established and approved by the government decree in 2002 by the Regione Lombardia. It also upholds the definition of the contemporary museum from the worldwide organization of museums (ICOM): "a permanent non-profit institution dedicated to service to society and its development. It is open to the public and completes research based on the material and immaterial testimonies of humanity and its environment; acquisitions, conservations, communications and moreover educational and study expositions.”

In order to realize this mission, the City Museum is equipped with modern multimedia stations and is handicap accessible.

The study and conservation activities are carried out by the Centro Studi e Documentazione of the Museum, while the evaluation of the historic and artistic heritage (apart from exhibitions and events) is entrusted to educational activities that involve schools and students and promote the knowledge of the city and protagonists of its history.