FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Desert Caballeros Western Museum
Receives Highest National Recognition Awarded Re-Accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums in Washington DC
Wickenburg, AZ – November 28, 2023 – The Desert Caballeros Western Museum (DCWM) is proud to announce its successful reaccreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). The prestigious recognition was officially awarded at the October 2023 meeting of the Accreditation Commission, where a total of 41 museums across the nation received reaccreditation.
Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. All museums must undergo a reaccreditation review at least every 10 years to maintain accredited status.
Alliance 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 50 years, the Alliance’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 in order to provide the best possible service to the public.
Out of an estimated 33,000 museums in the United States, only 1,106 are currently accredited by the AAM, making this achievement a testament to the Desert Caballeros Western Museum’s commitment to excellence, education, and responsible stewardship of cultural resources. The reaccreditation process, administered by the AAM, involves a rigorous evaluation of a museum’s adherence to established standards and best practices. Through self-assessment and peer review, the Desert Caballeros Western Museum has demonstrated its dedication to maintaining high-quality standards in all aspects of its operations.
For over 50 years, AAM accreditation has been recognized as the gold standard for museum excellence. It serves as a mark of distinction, signifying a museum’s credibility, quality, and commitment to the communities it serves. Accredited museums are considered appropriate stewards of the collections and resources held in the public trust.
AAM accreditation not only acknowledges the integrity and accessibility of a museum’s collections but also reinforces the institution’s roles in education and public service. Additionally, it promotes good governance practices and ethical behavior, contributing to the museum’s standing within the broader cultural community.
“The Desert Caballeros Western Museum is honored to have received reaccreditation and remains committed to providing enriching experiences for visitors, preserving the diverse Western heritage, and contributing to the advancement of national museum standards. We wish to thank our dedicated team let by Deputy Director and Chief Curator, Mary Ann Igna,” says Dan Finley the DCWM Executive Director.
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For media inquiries, please contact Caesar Chaves, Director of Marketing at 928-684-2272 or e-mail marketing@westernmuseum.org.
About the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) The American Alliance of Museums has been bringing museums together since 1906, helping to develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and providing advocacy on issues of concern to the entire museum community. Representing more than 35,000 individual museum professionals and volunteers, institutions, and corporate partners serving the museum field, AAM is the only organization representing the entire scope of the museum community.
