AAMG Certification – Application Information
PLEASE NOTE: This program is only open to current AAMG institutional members.
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Required Materials to Prepare!
The six required documents for AAMG certification include:
- Mission Statement
- Ethics Policy
- Emergency Plan
- Collections Management Policy -or- Exhibitions Policy (if no collections policy)
- Work/Institutional/Strategic Plan (3-5 years)
- Parent Institution Support
The Reviewal Process
Rather than judging applicants in the manner of AAM Accreditation, AAMG would encourage participating institutions to achieve attainment.
“AAMG Certification strives for 80, 90 or 100% participation by institutional members. Certification would testify that each museum and gallery operates at a recognized professional level, that it has the official support of its parent institution, and that it abides by the professional and ethical standards of AAMG.”
Museums and Galleries have access to templates and sample documents to help them craft their own essential policies or procedures. A check-list should help them determine the necessary proof of institutional support and a simple signed form would document a commitment to honor AAMG’s Professional Practices.
Once documents are assembled, the application will be reviewed by a Certification Committee that verifies the submission and award Certification on a regular basis. That committee could include members from the Professional Practices Committee, state or regional representatives, former board members, and at-large members. The committee provides a supportive process for feedback that encourages any institution whose submission falls short to make necessary adjustments for subsequent approval in an expedited manner.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Certification Program
Why did AAMG initiate its certification program?
To serve the field of academic museums and galleries by assisting individual institutional members to
adopt or refine their own professional practices.
Why a certificate?
So that every academic museum or gallery may show its administration externally validated
documentation that it operates within the recognized professional standards of its field.
Why should my institution apply?
There are a number of benefits: assure that your museum or gallery has the basic plans and processes in
place to operate in a purposeful and professional manner; to demonstrate to your administration your
institutional commitment to professional practices and field-wide ethics; and through the example of your
participation, to help raise the standards of the entire field of academic museums and galleries.
What are differences between AAMG Certification and AAM Accreditation?
Through certification, AAMG is attempting to establish “basic practices” across the field of academic
museums and galleries, whereas AAM accreditation uses a standard of “best practices” that only a small
percentage of museums achieve. The intent is to make certification attainable through a reasonable effort
of existing personnel, without demanding facility upgrades or labor-intensive projects that would
eliminate certain museums and galleries from participating.
If our institution is already accredited by AAM, should we apply for AAMG Certification?
Yes. You probably already have the documents required.
What if we do not already have the necessary documents?
This program was designed for you! AAMG is committed to providing the guidance and training to
enable every academic museum and gallery to attain certification. Resources in development include a
sample document section on AAMG’s website, virtual webinars, workshops at the annual conference, and
individualized coaching as volunteers make their experienced expertise available. AAMG’s recently
updated Professional Practices document also provides valuable guidance.
Required Documents
Are the documents required for certification the same as those required for AAM’s Core
Documents program?
Similar, but not the same. Both programs require a mission statement, ethics policy, emergency plan and
a collection or exhibition policy. AAMG, however, does not require a fully developed and institutionally endorsed “strategic plan” because the necessary time and labor can sometimes exceed the resources at
hand. A clear, 1-2 page plan that prioritizes objectives for the next 3-5 years should suffice.
Why is a statement of institutional support required?
AAMG understands from experience that written recognition from a parent institution contributes to the
sustainability of an academic museum or gallery, as well as the preservation of its collection—especially
as administrations adapt to external challenges or turnover in leadership. Additionally, confirmation of the
director’s authority for oversight of operations assures that the person in that position can effectively
manage.
Anything else?
Yes, as institutional members, certified museums agree to abide by the professional practices of AAMG.
The Application
How long does it take to apply for certification?
If you have the necessary documents, under an hour: the time it takes to upload 6 documents and answer a few questions.
Is there a fee to participate?
At this time, there is no charge. AAMG wants to lower barriers to participation. It also feels that the
program’s benefits to the field of academic museums and galleries far exceed the small sums that fees
would generate.
Is a site visit required?
No.
How much does it cost to maintain certification status each year?
Nothing extra. Certified museums are only expected to maintain active institutional membership in
AAMG.
For how long is AAMG Certification valid?
10 years, then renewal.
What happens if our application is rejected?
No institution fails the application process. If external reviewers determine that any documents fall short
of requirements, they will provide guidance on what changes must be made to meet basic standards. The
application is simply placed on hold until such time as all submissions align with AAMG’s professional
practices.
