The Council of Affiliates serves as a forum for the leadership of these organizations, Alliance board and staff to discuss issues of common concern and exchange information about organizational priorities and activities. It consists of representatives from a wide range of affiliated organizations for specific types of museums or for people in specific roles within their museums.

• American Association for Museum Volunteers
• American Association for State and Local History
• American Federation of Arts
• American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works
• American Public Gardens Association
• Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums
• Association of Academic Museums and Galleries
• Association of African American Museums
• Association of Art Museum Curators
• Association of Art Museum Directors
• Association of Children’s Museums
• Association of Science Museum Directors
• Association of Science-Technology Centers
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums
• College Art Association
• Council for Museum Anthropology
• Council of American Jewish Museums
• Council of American Maritime Museums
• HeritageRail Alliance
• Historic Naval Ships Association
• International Association of Museum Facility Administrators
• International Museum Theatre Alliance
• Museum Computer Network
• Museum Education Roundtable
• Museum Store Association
• Museum Trustee Association
• National Association for Interpretation
• Natural Science Collections Alliance