I guess so. Is this the elephant in the closet?
Seems like it would be to the benefit of all (including AAM), to have an
open and honest conversation about accreditation, and how (or if) it can be
rebirthed into a meaningful "good housekeeping seal of approval" that is
more attainable for all museums that have good practices.
Lucy Sperlin
Butte County Historical Society
Oroville, CA
_____
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Peter Morelli
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2007 2:51 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: AAM accreditation
Should we take another couple of days of silence as confirmation of the last
sentence in Cindy's reasonable post?
----- Original Message -----
From: Cindy <mailto:[log in to unmask]> 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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