The well-designed and carefully planned Tamil University Art Gallery and Museum are not merely an assortment of museum pieces and artifacts but a unit systematically arranged to provide source material for original research work on socio-historic aspects of the Tamil people. Even though emphasis is on Tamil Arts, Culture and tradition, it has been arranged as a part of pan-Indian scenario to underline unity in diversity.

The Museum and Gallery are located in one part of the historical Maratha palace in the centre of the Thanjavur city. There are about 3000 collections and objects relating to arts, crafts and general materials. Due importance is being given to collection, preservation, presentation, research and education. The Museum is kept open for the public during office-hours on all working days.

The collections are grouped as noted below and kept as exhibits in their respective galleries.

1. Archaeology

2. Epigraphy

3. Numismatics

4. Sculpture

5. Arms

6. FolkArts

7. Household articles

8. Musical Instruments

A conservation unit attached to the Museum is scientifically taking care of the acquired objects for preservation and study. A hand-book on Museology in Tamil is to be published soon.