Spotlight on a Peer Reviewer: Sal Cilella
We periodically highlight a peer reviewer not only to recognize their service but to help you get to know your fellow reviewers better.
Who: Salvatore Cilella, president and CEO, Atlanta History Center
Peer Reviewer since: 1983 (MAP and Accreditation)
Why I chose to become a peer reviewer: "I saw it as a way to help the field and then realized that I could learn a lot that would pertain to my own situation."
How participating in peer review has changed me: "I am more tolerant of unusual practices that are particular to individual museums and situations. I will never forget the museum in Key West that was home to many, many cats."
Proudest accomplishment as a peer reviewer: "I did four reviews in one week back to back, all up and down the Connecticut valley."
Advice for others thinking about becoming a peer reviewer: "Listen, listen, listen. You need to suggest solutions; the museum needs to implement them. Sometimes they cannot stand hearing the truth. I’ve even had to recommend that a museum go out of business."
Because of peer review, I learned: that we are not alone.
Because of peer review, I have been able to: bring ideas home to convince board members that ideas do work in certain situations that others have experienced.
Thank you Sal for your continued advancement of museum excellence and your service to the field!
Would you like to have the spotlight next? Share your peer review reflections with us at peer-review@aam-us.org.
