San Diego, CA – December 7, 2010 – The San Diego Air & Space Museum (SDASM) has been awarded accreditation from the American Association of Museums (AAM), their highest national recognition. Accreditation signifies excellence within the museum community, to the general public, government agencies, educators, funders, and donors.
AAM Accreditation is the museum profession’s primary formal acknowledgement of quality assurance, self-regulation and public accountability. It grants national recognition for a museum’s commitment to excellence: governance, collections stewardship/management, public programs, financial stability, exceptional professional standards, and continued institutional improvement.
“The AAM’s accreditation announcement confirms the continued excellence of our Museum and the dedication of so many people; our staff, our hundreds of volunteers and our many donors who invest in their community believing in the outstanding accomplishments and vision of their Air & Space Museum,” said Jim Kidrick, President & CEO of SDASM.
Of the nation’s estimated 17,500 museums, 775 are currently accredited. SDASM is one of only 59 accredited museums in California and became the first AAM-accredited, aero-themed Museum in 1986.
“Accreditation assures the people of San Diego that their museum is among the finest in the nation,” said Ford W. Bell, president of AAM. “As a result, the citizens can take considerable pride in their homegrown institution, for its commitment to excellence and for the value it brings to the community.”
Developed and sustained by museum professionals for 35 years, the AAMís Museum Accreditation program strengthens the profession by promoting practices enabling leaders to make informed decisions, allocate resources wisely and to provide high quality public services.
Accreditation is a rigorous process examining every aspect of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation, a museum must first conduct a year of self-study, then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers. AAM’s Accreditation Commission, an independent and autonomous body of museum professionals, review and evaluate the self-study and visiting committee report to determine whether a museum should be awarded accreditation. The Accreditation process occurs every 10 years.
For more information please call (619) 234-8291 or visit sandiegoairandspace.org
