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We champion equitable and impactful museums

by connecting people, fostering learning and community, and nurturing museum excellence.

The American Alliance of Museums is the only organization representing the entire museum field, from art and history museums to science centers and zoos. 

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The Impact of Museums

  • 726,000

    American jobs are supported by the museum field

  • $50 Billion

    is contributed to the U.S. economy each year by museums

  • 35,000

    museums are in all communities across the U.S., with 20% in rural areas

  • 96%

    of Americans want legislators to maintain or increase federal funding for museums

Highlights

TrendsWatch: Navigating a Volatile Future

This year the report explores volatility—strategic foresight parlance for the speed of change. That speed has been increasing exponentially in recent decades.

New Resource: Collections Management Form Templates

AAM Member Benefit

How well-documented are your museum’s collections? With our comprehensive bundle of 11 museum collections management forms, ensure efficient record-keeping. Download and tailor templates for acquisitions, accessions, cataloging, condition and damage reporting, deaccessioning, and loans.

New On-Demand Programs: Museums and Community Building

Museums are the heart of vibrant communities, sparking growth and connection through powerful learning and cultural experiences. This vital role was a central theme at the 2024 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, which explored the intrinsic link between personal, community, and institutional well-being. For strategies on strengthening community connections and advancing your institution’s impact, watch select session recordings, now available in the AAM Member Resource Library:

Sept/Oct Issue of Museum Magazine

AAM Member Benefit

Amid today’s turbulent cultural and financial scenarios, it’s simply not an easy time to keep a museum running. From insights on keeping sane to building healthy board relationships, coming together in the face of disasters, and more—learn about leading today’s museums in this vital issue of Museum. Members now have access to the digital copy. Not a member? Join today or purchase a subscription to Museum.

Upcoming Events

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We’re in the business of forever, in perpetuity, but that doesn’t mean museums will stay the same. AAM provides us with a lens on the change, allowing us to be more sensitive, to anticipate, and to be more effective in all we do.

Doug Jones, Director, Florida Museum of Natural History

AAM Member-Only Content

AAM Members get exclusive access to premium digital content including:

  • Featured articles from Museum magazine
  • Access to more than 1,500 resource listings from the Resource Center
  • Tools, reports, and templates for equipping your work in museums
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