Polk Museum of Art Granted Re-accreditation

Thursday, April 7, 2011  • News

Polk Museum of Art has long prided itself as being “More Than An Art Museum.” The nation’s premier accrediting body for museums, the American Association of Museums, agrees.

Following a rigorous 18-month review of Museum operations ranging from finances to artistic and public programs to security, the American Association of Museums has granted re-accreditation to Polk Museum of Art. Accreditation is granted in recognition of excellence, achievement and leadership in the museum field.

Polk Museum of Art first was accredited in 1985 and was granted re-accreditation in 1999. The “subsequent accreditation” just granted will be in effect for 15 years.

“I am proud to announce for the second time during my tenure at Polk Museum of Art that we have achieved the standards of accreditation,” said Polk Museum of Art Executive Director Dan Stetson. “It is an honor to be recognized by the American Association of Museums for achieving increased standards, evidence of our excellence, achievement and leadership in the museum field.”

In the letter announcing re-accreditation, Dr. Bonnie W. Styles, chair of the AAM Accreditation Commission, stated: “The Polk Museum is high functioning and an important center of community life, with remarkably sophisticated yet accessible presentations. We particularly commend the museum’s integration in the community by promoting art, engagement, and participation, as well as the museum’s belief in the overall diversity of thought, age, and philosophy.”

Since 1906, the AAM has been bringing museums together to develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge and providing advocacy on issues of concern across the museum community. There are 779 accredited museums in the United States, or only 4.5 percent of the nation’s 17,500 institutions.

Ford W. Bell, president of the American Association of Museums, said: “Accreditation is emblematic of a museum’s commitment to excellence, in all that it does. Considering that just over 4 percent of the nation’s estimated 17,500 museums are accredited indicates the high standards required for this designation. Simply put, it means that in the Polk Museum of Art, the people of Lakeland and all of Florida have in their midst one of America’s best museums.”