• Promotion of research in the field of art & culture: One of the main objectives of the Akademi is promotion of research in the field of culture, particularly Manipuri culture. To achieve this objective, the Akademi regularly organises various academic oriented programmes such as seminars, symposiums, workshops, discussions, lectures etc. Besides, it also has a Library as well as an Archives & Museum Unit which offer researchers access to invaluable wealth of knowledge and information.

• Organising promotional programmes in the field of art & culture: With an aim to further promote the rich and varied art forms of Manipur, the Akademi regularly organises several festivals such as All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival, All Manipur Drama Festival, Festival of Classical Manipuri Solo Dance, Folk Art Festival, Festival of Nata Sankirtana etc. Many other festivals are also organised from time to time to revive and promote rare and dying art forms of the State. Some of its programmes are also organised in collaboration with reputed national and regional cultural bodies such as Sangeet Natak Akademi, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre etc.

• Organising promotional programmes in the field of Literature: In the field of Literature, the Akademi also organises a flagship literary programme entitled ‘Festival of Literature’ which aims at promoting literary activities and also foster an exchange of literary ideas and contacts among the major literary traditions of India. Besides offering a common platform to all the literary lovers of the State and beyond, this Festival also serves as a confluence of poets and fiction writers, critics and scholars, academicians and students, the common readers and the publishers etc. Apart from this Festival, the Akademi from time to time organises literary programmes in collaboration with Sahitya Akademi as well as reputed local literary organisations.   

• Organising promotional programmes in the field of Fine Arts: The Akademi has been at the forefront of promoting the visual art movement in the State by organising art workshops, artists’ camps, art exhibitions, art appreciation and lecture programmes etc. The status of visual art in the State has shown considerable progress through the sustained support and efforts on part of the Akademi as well as the artist community of Manipur. Some of the regular programmes organised in this area include Annual State Exhibition of Art, Group Art Exhibition, Manipur State Art Exposition etc. Many art workshops and camps are also organised in active collaboration with Lalit Kala Akademi as well as Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre.  

• Publication of Books and Journal: The Akademi has been contributing to the richness of Manipuri language and its literary tradition by publishing books besides holding literary programmes. It has published over 25 books on different aspects of Manipuri literature and culture, including translations. It also brings out a bi-annual journal in English entitled Manipuri Culture and Literature.

• Conferring Awards: One of the objectives of the Akademi is to honour persons distinguished in various fields of art, literature, visual art etc. as a mark of recognition of their outstanding contributions to the realm of Manipuri culture as a whole. As such, the Akademi confers various categories of awards to such individuals to honour as well as to encourage them. The awards are briefly described as follows:  

1. MSKA Lifetime Achievement Award: The highest honour of the Akademi, this award is conferred on any citizen irrespective of race, sex, or religion as recognition of his/her lasting and outstanding contribution in the field of Manipuri culture on a sustained basis over a period of time. The award carries a cash value of Rs.3,00,000/- (Rupees three lakh) only, a Memento and a Certificate of Honour.
2. MSKA Fellow: The Akademi Fellow is the second highest honour of the Akademi and carries a cash value of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees one lakh) only, a Memento and a Certificate of Honour. The Award is annually conferred on two individuals in recognition of the persons’ exceptional contributions to the field of Manipuri culture.
3. MSKA Award (Performing Art): This award, numbering fourteen, is annually conferred on distinguished artistes representing highest standards of excellence and achievement in the realm of Manipuri culture. The cash value of this award is Rs.50,000/- (Rupees fifty thousand) only. The Award also carries a Memento and Certificate of Honour.
4. MSKA Award (Literature): This award is annually given in the following three fields of literature: (a) Creative Writing in Manipuri, (b) Critical Writing in Manipuri and (c) Translation. Each award carries a cash value of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees fifty thousand) only, a Memento and Certificate of Honour and are conferred to writers/translator for their outstanding literary works.
5. Akademi Award (Fine Arts): This award is annually conferred on two artists for their distinguished artworks. Like the other awards, this award also has a cash value of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees fifty thousand) only, a Memento and Certificate of Honour.
6. MSKA Young Talent Award: This award is annually conferred on six young and promising artistes up to the age of 40 years and belonging to different fields of performing arts as encouragement and in recognition of their talents and contributions. Apart from an amount of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees twenty-five thousand) only, the Award carries a Memento and Certificate of Honour.

• Award of Fellowship and Scholarship: Manipur State Kala Akademi offers the following schemes of Fellowship and Scholarship:

1. MSKA Scheme of Fellowship: The Akademi instituted the scheme of Fellowship in 1973 for aiding research and advanced training in various fields of performing art, fine art and old Manipuri literature etc. The Fellowship is tenable for two years and each fellowship holder is paid an amount of Rs. 2,500/- per month and another amount of Rs. 2,500/- per month is paid to his or her guide/guru. At present, the Akademi annually selects 15 individuals for this scheme.
2. MSKA Scheme of Scholarship: The Akademi Scholarship Scheme, introduced by the Akademi in 1973, seeks to provide financial assistance to young artistes with outstanding potential for advanced training within India in different fields of art and culture. The Scholarship carries an amount of Rs. 2000/- per month which is tenable for two years. The Akademi annually selects 30 individuals as beneficiaries of this scheme.