Statements on Best Practices

The Commission occasionally issues statements that codify best practices (commendable actions and philosophies that successfully solve problems, can be replicated, and demonstrate an awareness of standards). These statements are intended to:

• provide guidance to the field as a whole on appropriate ways to approach a given issue, based on the Commission’s observations of the hundreds of high-performing museums in the Accreditation Program
• help museums in the Accreditation Program understand the Commission’s thinking on issues that may arise in a museum’s review

These statements generally address complex issues that museums may approach appropriately in a variety of ways, depending on their mission, values, discipline, and other individual circumstances. These statements are notstandards, and do not set forth criteria that all accredited museums, or museums in general, are expected to meet. The Commission does feel that museums will benefit from considering how the issues discussed in this statement affect their operations and, as appropriate, using this information to make decisions regarding their own institutional practices, policies, and procedures.

• Commission Statement on Best Practice: on Unlawful Appropriation of Objects During the Nazi-Era
  
• Commission Statement on Best Practice: Loaning Collections to Non-Museum Entities

Other Policies

• Considerations for AAM Accredited Museums Facing Retrenchment or Downsizing 
• Policy on Management Agreements and Memorandum of Understanding
• Policy on Statements of Support from Parent Organizations
• Report on Museum Systems and the AAM Accreditation Program
• Statement on Acquisition, Documentation, and Disclosure of Sensitive Cultural Property