Awarded Re-Accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums
HOLLAND, Michigan (3/6/2020) – Holland Museum has again achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. The Holland Museum was initially accredited since 2000. All museums must undergo a reaccreditation review at least every 10 years to maintain accredited status.
Alliance Accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement. Developed and sustained by museum professionals for over 45 years, the Alliance’s museum accreditation program is the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation and public accountability. It strengthens the museum profession by promoting practices that enable leaders to make informed decisions, allocate resources wisely, and remain financially and ethically accountable in order to provide the best possible service to the public.
“This is a major accomplishment for all of us at the Holland Museum,” says Ricki Levine, Executive Director. “To be recognized by the Alliance is the highest accolade. There were many individuals that got us to this point. The Museum staff, board and dozens of volunteers worked exceptionally hard during many months of preparation Together, we are delighted to share this news with the greater Holland community, and hope that this gives everyone a sense of pride in their local museum.”
Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, 1087 are currently accredited. The Holland Museum is one of only 37 museums accredited in Michigan.
Accreditation is a very rigorous but highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation a museum first must conduct a year of self-study, and then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers. AAM’s Accreditation Commission, an independent and autonomous body of museum professionals, considers the self-study and visiting committee report to determine whether a museum should receive accreditation.
“Accredited museums are a community of institutions that have chosen to hold themselves publicly accountable to excellence,” said Laura L. Lott, Alliance president and CEO. “Accreditation is clearly a significant achievement, of which both the institutions and the communities they serve can be extremely proud.”
About the Holland Museum
The Holland Historical Trust’s mission is Preserving our Past, Imagining our Future. The Holland Museum is located at the corner of 10th Street and River Avenue, across from Centennial Park at 31 West 10th Street. For more information, please call (616) 796-3329. www.hollandmuseum.org
About the American Alliance of Museums
The American Alliance of Museums has been bringing museums together since 1906, helping to develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and providing advocacy on issues of concern to the entire museum community. Representing more than 35,000 individual museum professionals and volunteers, institutions, and corporate partners serving the museum field, the Alliance stands for the broad scope of the museum community. For more information, visit www.aam-us.org.
