Heckscher Museum of Art Retains Accreditation

The Heckscher Museum of Art has again achieved accreditation by the American Association of Museums — the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums.

Signifying excellence to the museum community, governments, funders, outside agencies, and the museum-going public, museum officials were delighted to announce the news earlier this week.

“Just as graduation from college is called ‘a commencement’ ceremony, our achievement of reaccreditation is also just the beginning of an ongoing effort to hold ourselves ‘publicly accountable to excellence’ in all of our activities,” said Michael Schantz, Heckscher Museum executive director and CEO, in a press release.  

Of the nation’s estimated 17,500 museums, 775 are currently accredited, according to the Heckscher museum. The Heckscher Museum of Art was initially accredited in 1972.

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 that could take up to three years to complete. 

“Accreditation is emblematic of an institution’s commitment to public service and to overall excellence,” said Ford W. Bell, AAM president. “Attaining accreditation involves taking a hard look at yourself, allowing your peers in the field to do the same, and being judged to be superior in all areas.  The people of Huntington can take great pride in the fact that their local institution is one of America’s premier museums.”