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The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) announced last month that six museums were re-accredited at the October meeting of the Accreditation Commission, while five museums were newly accredited, and Long Beach\u2019s Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) was, not surprisingly, one of those honored institutions.<\/p>\n
Of the nation\u2019s estimated 35,000 museums, 1,054 are currently accredited, according to the AAM\u2019s release. MOLAA now stands as one of 247 accredited museums in the state, according to the local institution. The Long Beach Museum of Art and the University Art Museum at Cal State Long Beach (CSULB) are also accredited.<\/p>\n
An accreditation signifies excellence and major credibility within the greater museum community and to museum-goers, governments and outside agencies, according to the release. It is also the highest national recognition for a museum to receive. AAM\u2019s 45-year-old accreditation program strengthens the museum profession by holding museum leaders accountable to rigorous standards.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums is a great honor and an important milestone for MOLAA, as the Museum prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2016,\u201d said Stuart Ashman, MOLAA\u2019s President and CEO, in a statement. \u201cI am pleased and excited to share this achievement with MOLAA\u2019s Board and staff and would like to thank them for their support throughout the accreditation process.\u201d<\/p>\n
MOLAA is a part of the first class of museums to be accepted into the 11-to-16-month accreditation program since 2010, when last year since it was revamped, relaunched and reopened to applicants. The Museum of Russian Icons in Massachusetts, the Tampa Bay History Center in Florida, The History Museum in Indiana and the U.S. Army Women\u2019s Museum in Virginia were also newly accredited.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccredited museums are a community of institutions that have chosen to hold themselves publicly accountable to excellence,\u201d said Laura Lott, Alliance president and CEO, in a statement. \u201cAccreditation is clearly a significant achievement, of which both the institutions and the communities they serve can be extremely proud.\u201d<\/p>\n
This is not the first time MOLAA, or a MOLAA higher-up, has received accolades from the AAM. Three years ago Ashman received an award of excellence for his nine years (2003-2012) of service as an AAM Accreditation Commissioner.<\/p>\n
\u201cServing on the Accreditation Commission is emblematic of a deep commitment to the advancement of the entire museum field,” said AAM President Ford Bell said in a statement. “Few demonstrate that dedication as much as Stuart Ashman. His wisdom, experience and insight have benefitted museums of all sizes and types, all across the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
MOLAA, we\u2019re glad you\u2019re in good hands.<\/p>\n