For Immediate Release

Arlington, VA – The American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the only organization representing the entire scope of the museum community, today announced 3 first-time accreditation and 14 reaccreditation awards made at the February 2026 meeting of the Accreditation Commission. Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, 1,130 are currently accredited.

Through a rigorous process of self-assessment and peer review, these museums have demonstrated that they meet standards and best practices, and are educational entities that are appropriate stewards of the collections and resources they hold in the public trust.

Recognized as the field’s gold standard for museum excellence for over 55 years, AAM accreditation signifies a museum’s quality and credibility to the entire museum community, to governments and outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. The Accreditation Program ensures the integrity and accessibility of museum collections, reinforces museums’ educational and public service roles, and promotes good governance practices and ethical behavior.

First Time Accreditation

All three newly accredited museums have completed Core Documents Verification and the Museum Assessment Program within the last five years.

Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Fort Worth, TX  

Hermosa Beach Museum, Hermosa Beach, CA      

National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, Chicago, IL        

Reaccreditation

Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons, MD      

Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, Mason City, IA  

Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis, TN   

Frederic Remington Art Museum, Ogdensburg, NY 

Gadsden Arts Center & Museum, Quincy, FL           

Idaho Museum of Natural History, Pocatello, ID       

Montana Historical Society, Helena, MT       

Museum of Natural and Cultural History, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR   

Newfields, Indianapolis, IN    

North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh, NC      

Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma City, OK 

Old Cowtown Museum, Wichita, KS 

San Diego Museum of Us, San Diego, CA   

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO

The Accreditation Commission meets 3 times a year (February, June, and October) and can make one of the following decisions:

• Grant accreditation (usually for 10 years)
• Table its decision for 1 year, so specific issues can be addressed
• Deny accreditation due to failure to meet multiple Core Standards
• Defer a decision to gather additional information

A museum’s accredited status is not changed during a period in which a decision is tabled or deferred.

Read more about the Alliance’s Accreditation Program.

About the American Alliance of Museums

The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) is the only organization representing the entire museum field, from art and history museums to science centers and zoos. Since 1906, we have been championing museums through advocacy and providing museum professionals with the resources, knowledge, inspiration, and connections they need to move the field forward.

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Press Contact:

Natanya Khashan

media@aam-us.org