TMORA Awarded Accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums

July 16, 2024 – The Museum of Russian Art (TMORA) has achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition afforded to the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. 

Alliance Accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement. Developed and sustained by museum professionals for over fifty years, the Alliance’s museum accreditation program is the 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 to provide the best possible service to the public. 

“Being awarded AAM accreditation is a testament to the Museum’s commitment to maintain its collection at the highest level of professional standards and to provide exhibitions and educational programs that enrich its visitors. Accreditation could not have been achieved without the full commitment of the Museum’s Board and the hard work and dedication of the staff,” stated Mark Meister, TMORA’s Executive Director & President. 

Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, roughly 1,100 are currently accredited. The Museum of Russian Art is one of only four art museums accredited in Minnesota, joining the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, and the Weisman Art Museum with that distinction.  

Accreditation is a very rigorous but highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation a museum first must conduct a year of self-study, and then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers. The Alliance’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. 

“Accreditation is a monumental achievement,” said Marilyn Jackson, AAM President & CEO. “The process demonstrates an institution’s commitment to best practice and is flexible enough to be accomplished by museums of any size.”

About the American Alliance of Museums

The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) is the only organization representing the entire museum field, from art and history museums to science centers and zoos. Since 1906, we have been championing museums through advocacy and providing museum professionals with the resources, knowledge, inspiration, and connections they need to move the field forward. For more information, visit aam-us.org.