I think Cindy's post, and particularly her last sentence were correct.  It 
probably wouldn't hurt to have accreditation, unless you count the resources 
it took to achieve that status.  It's right to ask whether it does help, 
particularly smaller institutions.  But as I've noticed with other posts in 
which we question the super powers of the profession, such as the 
Smithsonian and AAM, listers often seem to become uncomfortable enough not 
to engage in discussion.  I think such issues are among the most important 
for us to talk about.  I work for a new museum and we have previously set 
our sights on becoming accredited with AAM.  I'm not sure we won't pursue 
this in the future, but this short string of discussion has made me question 
our need for it.

Are we afraid of critiquing those we deem to be above criticism?  It seems 
this list is about sharing our experiences so we can help each other, 
whether these are big issues or small ones.  I really appreciate these sorts 
of posts that take on potentially touchy questions and hope listers will 
contribute to them.

Jennifer Pena

>From: Peter Morelli <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: AAM accreditation
>Date: Wed, 9 May 2007 17:51:06 -0400
>
>Should we take another couple of days of silence as confirmation of the 
>last sentence in Cindy's reasonable post?
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: Cindy Boyer
>   To: [log in to unmask]
>   Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2007 9:42 AM
>   Subject: Re: AAM accreditation
>
>
>   I believe I'm the member who posted the original question.
>
>   What was interesting to me is that Alexandra was just about the only 
>respondent to my question.
>
>   My organization is an unusual one, not just a museum but a historic 
>preservation organization that also operates 2 house museums - so, for us, 
>the question about re-accrediting is more complex.
>
>   While I agree that the self-study process can be useful to the 
>organization,and includes questions that every institution should be able 
>to answer, I still wonder about the programs' effectiveness in ratio to the 
>expense - both out of pocket and for the staff time involved - for mid or 
>smaller size museums.
>
>   Alexandra mentioned credibility, visibility, fundability. Credibility - 
>in whose eyes? the general public, our colleagues, or AAM?  Visibility - 
>same question. Fundability - we have been accredited for 30 years, and I 
>can not think of one instance where it helped us get funding, with the 
>possible exception of IMLS, when they offered general operating support.
>
>   I agree it would be an interesting topic at a conference. It would be 
>interesting to see if our colleagues would actually address this issue in a 
>more public forum. I wonder, if to "diss" accreditation would be seen as 
>disrespecting the AAM.
>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>   From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On 
>Behalf Of Alexandra
>   Sent: Monday, May 07, 2007 6:30 PM
>   To: [log in to unmask]
>   Subject: [MUSEUM-L] AAM accreditation
>
>
>   Dear Members of this list:
>
>
>
>   A few weeks ago, another member of this listserv asked what the point of 
>getting an AAM accreditation or re-accreditation might be in that the 
>process is so complex and time-consuming.  I responded that it increased 
>credibility, visibility, and fundability, while demonstrating that the 
>institution believes that its public funding means that it should be 
>accountable and transparent, using best practices and so on.  Then I talked 
>to a few colleagues who thought my position might not be as strong as I 
>assumed, and wonder what your reaction might be to my statements.  Why do 
>museums work to get accredited in the first place?  Is it worth it 
>strategically?  It seems to me that this might be a discussion topic at a 
>conference because people are conflicted about it.
>
>
>
>   I am completing an AAM re-accreditation project as an independent museum 
>professional for the Harvard University Art Museums.  The process, while 
>long and complicated, went well.  Some new channels of communications were 
>opened or solidified, while whatever policies, procedures, plans, and 
>strategies that were missing or lacking are now in place and HUAM believes 
>that its claim of being one of the top educational and collecting museums 
>is more demonstrable.  I agree.  I think it's great, even expected, that 
>museums large or small be accredited.  Do you?
>
>
>
>   Many thanks for your input!
>
>   Alexandra Rollins
>
>
>
>   Alexandra W. Rollins
>
>   Nonprofit and Arts Management
>
>   24 Goodrich Road
>
>   Jamaica Plain, MA  02130-2005
>
>   617-524-6007; fax 6037
>
>   www.rollinsupton.com
>
>
>
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