BIRMINGHAM, AL.- The Birmingham Museum of Art has again achieved accreditation, the highest national recognition for a museum, by the American Association of Museums (AAM). Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, governments, funders, outside agencies, and the museum-going public. All museums must undergo a reaccreditation review at least every 10 years to maintain accredited status. One of only six Alabama museums accredited, the Birmingham Museum of Art was first accredited in 1983, and again in 1997. Of the nation’s estimated 17,500 museums, 775 are currently accredited.

"It is gratifying to once again be recognized for the excellence of our collection, staff, and programs," says Tom Hamby, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Birmingham Museum of Art. "We are proud of what this institution and community have built together with the generous support of the City of Birmingham."

The accreditation process rigorously examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation, a museum first must 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, considers the self-study and visiting committee report to determine whether a museum should receive accreditation. While the time to complete the process varies by museum, it generally takes as long as three years.

AAM accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement. AAM’s museum accreditation program is the museum 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.

"Accreditation assures the people of Birmingham that their Museum of Art is among the finest in the nation," said Ford W. Bell, president of AAM. "As a result, the citizens of Alabama can take considerable pride in their homegrown institution, for its commitment to excellence, and for the value it brings to the community."

The AAM accreditation team recognized that the Birmingham Museum of Art "is distinguished as the only general art museum in Alabama—that is an art museum with the range and quality of collections across geography and time—and one of the broadest collections of its kind in the American Southeast." They also noted the commitment of the Museum staff, board, and volunteers to improving cultural diversity throughout the institution and within its audience; the beauty and professionalism of its installations; the level of scholarly interpretation and sensitivity to the needs of visitors; and the Museum’s particular dedication to the service of teachers and students.

Gail Andrews, Director of the Birmingham Museum of Art, acknowledged the value of the accreditation process to the institution. "Our visitors come to the Museum for a variety of reasons," Andrews said. "For many, it is a place of discovery, to learn and experience art, and to be challenged intellectually. For others, it is a place of quiet contemplation. Among the things that our museum derived during this valuable process is a renewed commitment to extend these experiences to the broadest possible audience."