It hosts temporary exhibitions on the third floor, while the permanent collections are on the fourth floor.

The collections cover the history of Kyushu from prehistory to the Meiji era with particular emphasis on the rich history of cultural exchange between Kyushu and neighboring China and Korea.

The Kyushu National Museum of Art is the first national museum dedicated to modern art in Japan. Established in 2005 and located in Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture, the museum boasts an impressive collection of works from the late 19th century to the present day. The museum is divided into three main divisions: The Collection Division, which showcases the museum's permanent collection of modern and contemporary art, the Research and Education Division, which focuses on research and educational activities, and the Project Division, which organizes special exhibitions and collaborative projects with other museums and institutions.

The museum's permanent collection includes a wide range of works from modern masters such as Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, and Vincent van Gogh, as well as works by contemporary Japanese artists. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum also hosts various special exhibitions and events throughout the year. These include the annual Kyushu Biennale, which brings together local and international artists, as well as the International Symposium on Contemporary Art, which focuses on the latest developments in the field. The museum also offers various educational activities and workshops for children, as well as lectures and seminars for adults.