By publicly committing to operate according to national standards and best practices—within your museum’s abilities and resources—your institution has taken an important step.
This action strengthens not only your museum, but the field as a whole. Standards unify museums and serve as a cornerstone of the sector’s collective advocacy efforts.
Document and formalize your action
- Download and personalize copies of the Pledge certificate, then display them.
- Have the top staff person (director, president, etc.) and the head of the museum’s governing authority sign the Pledge certificate.
- Consider making a poster-sized version of the certificate and have all members of the governing authority and staff sign it and display it publicly.
Spread the word
- Include a note in your member newsletter or on your website to let your community know that you are committed to achieving museum standards and how they will benefit.
- Please tell AAM why your museum signed the Pledge or how you’ve used it. Send us a written or video message.
Reflect on standards and ethics at your museum
- Share copies of the Core Standards for Museums and the Code of Ethics for Museums with your staff, volunteers, and governing authority. Your orientation and onboarding materials is a perfect place to include them.
- Discuss the Characteristics of Excellence and the Code of Ethics for Museums—and what they mean to your museum—in board and staff meetings.
- Set a goal related to at least one of the standards or an aspect of the code of ethics. For example:
- Develop or revise your policies and plans to submit for Core Document Verification.
- Apply to the Museum Assessment Program.
- Join StEPs.
- Commit to attaining Accreditation.
Reaffirm
On an annual basis, reaffirm your museum’s Pledge internally as good practice and with AAM when you renew your museum’s membership.
