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Berman Museum Selected for AAM Assessment Cohort

The American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the only organization representing the entire scope of the museum community, recently selected a new cohort of museums to participate in its 2023 Museum Assessment Program, including the Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College.

Since its inception in 1981, the Museum Assessment Program (MAP) has helped more than 5,000 small and mid-sized museums strengthen operations, plan for the future, and meet standards. With 5 types of assessments available, over 60% of AAM-accredited museums have participated in the program.

“We are thrilled to be pursuing an organizational assessment as part the 2023 cohort of MAP museums,” Berman Museum Executive Director Lauren McCardel said. “The guided self-assessment and consultative peer review will equip us to create a new strategic plan for the Berman, refresh our institutional mission and vision statements, and streamline operations. We look forward to strengthening our institution and planning for our future through this esteemed program.”

To participate in the Museum Assessment Program, museums choose from one of five institutional assessment types: organizational, collections stewardship, education and interpretation, community and audience engagement, or board leadership. All five assessment types are grounded in AAM’s core standards; are inclusive of diversity, equity, access, and inclusion issues as they relate to the assessment focus; help museums look at both functional and strategic aspects of their operations, and present focused learning modules and action plans for the museum to progress through; and include a peer-reviewed site visit.

Museums often gain clarity on an institutional roadmap or strategic plan; see positive impacts to their visitor experience or community response to their museum; grow in their ability to identify their strengths and challenges; or gain valuable assistance with updating museum policy, successes in fundraising, and other benefits.

MAP is supported through a cooperative agreement between the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the American Alliance of Museums. Read more about it here, and about AAM’s Continuum of Excellence here.

About the Berman Museum of Art

As a teaching museum on a liberal arts college campus, the Berman Museum of Art fosters greater understanding of the visual arts in the learning process and society at large. The Berman supports the educational mission of Ursinus College across all disciplines, presenting innovative exhibitions and programs that cultivate curiosity and encourage exploration, critical thinking, and civic engagement. Admission is always free and open to the public. The Berman’s growing collection is an important resource for teaching and outreach to diverse college and community audiences. Ensuring the integrity, preservation, and interpretation of these artworks and artifacts is an ongoing responsibility sustained in public trust. Visit ursinus.edu/berman.

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.

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