RENO, NV.- The Nevada Museum of Art (NMA) has again achieved the highest recognition for a museum, accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM). Initially accredited in 1993, the museum must undergo a subsequent review at least every ten years to maintain accredited status. The NMA is the only accredited art museum in the state of Nevada.

AAM Accreditation is recognition of a museum’s commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement. Being accredited strengthens individual museums and the profession as a whole by promoting ethical and professional practices that enable museum leaders to make informed decisions, allocate and use resources wisely, and remain accountable to the public.

“This accreditation comes after several years of hard work on the part of the Board of Trustees and staff,” said Steven High, Director and CEO of the NMA. “I am very proud of their dedication and disciplined work during the year-long self-study process and the site visit evaluation this past summer.”

Of the nation’s nearly 16,000 museums only 750 are currently accredited. It is a rigorous but highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation or subsequent accreditation, a museum first must conduct a year of self-study, then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers. The museum professionals on AAM’s Accreditation Commission then consider 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 three years and all accredited museums must undergo a complete review at least every 10 years.