American Alliance of Museums

American Alliance of Museums
Name	American Alliance of Museums
Founded	0 1906
Location	Arlington, Virginia
Key people	Laura L. Lott (President & CEO, 2015–2023)
Focus	Museum service organization
Website	https://www.aam-us.org

American Alliance of Museums. The American Alliance of Museums is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening museums across the United States and internationally. It provides leadership, advocacy, and essential resources to advance the museum field, championing institutions as vital educational and cultural assets. With a membership encompassing thousands of museums, professionals, and corporate partners, it is a primary force in establishing standards of excellence and promoting ethical practices.

History and formation

The organization traces its origins to the American Association of Museums, founded in 1906 during a meeting at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Early leadership included figures like George Brown Goode of the Smithsonian Institution, who emphasized the public service role of museums. It was initially housed within the Smithsonian's United States National Museum in Washington, D.C.. A major milestone occurred in 1970 with the establishment of the Museum Assessment Program and the subsequent creation of its rigorous accreditation program in 1971. The organization rebranded to its current name in 2012 to better reflect its collaborative nature and broad membership base.

Mission and strategic goals

The core mission is to champion museums and nurture excellence in partnership with their communities. Its strategic goals focus on demonstrating the relevance of museums to community health, strengthening organizational performance through standards and ethics, and fostering a diverse and equitable museum field. These objectives are outlined in documents like the Excellence and Equity report and are advanced through initiatives addressing contemporary issues such as digital transformation, sustainability, and social justice. The alliance positions museums as essential agents of education and civic engagement.

Membership and accreditation

Membership is open to a wide range of institutions including art museums, history museums, science museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and historic sites, as well as individual professionals and students. The highly respected AAM Accreditation program, administered by an independent Accreditation Commission, is a hallmark of institutional quality, with accredited museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Field Museum representing the field's gold standard. The separate Museum Assessment Program, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, provides a stepping stone to accreditation.

Key programs and initiatives

Major programs include the annual AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, a premier conference for networking and professional development. The Museums Advocacy Day event mobilizes the field to engage with the United States Congress. Other significant initiatives are the Center for the Future of Museums, which explores trends affecting the sector, and the Facing Change initiative aimed at advancing diversity and inclusion. The alliance also administers awards like the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, presented in cooperation with the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Governance and organizational structure

The alliance is governed by a Board of Directors elected by its membership, which includes trustees, directors, and other leaders from institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Day-to-day operations are managed by a professional staff headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, led historically by presidents such as Edward P. Alexander and more recently Laura L. Lott. Policy and programmatic work is often guided by standing professional networks and committees, such as those for curators, educators, and registrars.

Advocacy and public policy work

The organization is a leading voice in Washington, D.C., advocating for federal support and policies beneficial to museums. It works closely with agencies like the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Key advocacy issues include sustaining funding for these agencies, protecting charitable giving incentives, and supporting museums' roles in education and economic development. Its advocacy efforts ensure museums are recognized in major legislation, such as the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Category:American Alliance of Museums Category:Museum associations Category:Organizations based in Arlington, Virginia Category:Organizations established in 1906