The goal of the museum is to present research work conducted by the Institute of the Philosophy and Psychology of Art, as well as exhibit original artwork by contemporary artists. Here is how the founder of the institute, artist Mihail Chemiakin, describes the concept behind the museum and his work:

"When I lived in Russia it was impossible to study many of the old masters in Soviet museums. So I started to collect reproductions, thus creating my own museum. It was when I still lived in Russia that I familiarized myself with certain theoretical works by André Malraux, with whom fate was to bring me together later in France. Writer and philosopher, historian and art critic, Malraux created his "musée imaginaire" and I was amazed at the similarity of our research. I consider A. Malraux my spiritual teacher.

The more extensive my museum became, the more similarities I discovered between the art roots of ancient peoples, irrespective of nationality. Both Picasso and Moore studied ancient art and transformed it to create new and excitingly original pieces. That is how I originally started to create my own transformations."

The Museum of the Imagination (named in honour of Malraux's creation) is designed to introduce that research to artists, art historians, psychologists, students and general public. In addition to ongoing exhibitions the museum will present lectures and hold art competitions for artists from around the world.