The Frost Art Museum Receives Highest National Recognition from the AAM

Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum was initially accredited in 1999.
“We are proud to announce that our exhibitions and didactic programming have been deemed excellent in their quality by our colleagues at AAM,” said Dr. Carol Damian, Director & Chief Curator of The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum. “This recognition validates that the museum has continued to operate as an institution of superior quality in our beautiful new building.”
Of the nation’s estimated 17,500 museums, 775 are currently accredited. The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum is one of only 50 museums accredited in Florida. Accreditation is a rigorous process that 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.
“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.”
AAM 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 35 years, AAM’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 ─ all in order to provide the best possible service to the public.
Approaching its 35th anniversary in 2012, The Frost Art Museum opened its current 46,000-square-foot state of the art building in November, 2008. Over 85,000 people have visited The Museum in its new building since its opening in November, 2008. Admission to The Museum is always free. The Frost is an AAM accredited museum and Smithsonian affiliate.

www.thefrost.fiu.edu.