Deadline: January 17, 2025

Instructions

Only self-nominations are accepted.

1. Read the criteria and other information below.
2. Read the commissioner position description (PDF).
3. Complete and submit the online nomination form.
   (You can start filling out the form and save your work, then return to complete and submit it later.)
4. Review your AAM Online Peer Reviewer Profile for currency and update as needed (Get instructions.)
   If you are not a Peer Reviewer or have problems accessing your Profile, contact Julie Hart.

Note: If you submitted a nomination in 2023 (the last open call) you do not need to need submit a new nomination form unless you want to update any of your answers, have changed jobs, or had a substantive change in your qualifications. Otherwise, all previous applicants will remain in the pool for consideration.

Criteria

The Accreditation Commission is the body responsible for making independent decisions regarding a museum’s accredited status. It meets three times a year and is made up of museum professionals who collectively represent a broad range of expertise and experience in the museum field.

Commissioners have significant leadership level experience, have an understanding of a wide range of museum operations, have experience with accreditation, and demonstrate a commitment to standards and building excellence across the field. Commissioners serve in a volunteer capacity for a five-year term.

The Nominating Committee is looking for individuals:

• with core experience in any of the following types of museums: science, natural history/anthropology, living collections (e.g., zoo, garden, nature center), children’s, multi-disciplinary, ethically/culturally specific; state/local governance; small staff/budgets. These are the areas most sought during this nomination cycle but if your background doesn’t exactly fall within them and you feel you’d be a good candidate, you are still welcome to apply. The criteria needed changes from year to year.
• with significant senior leadership experience who are committed to advancing museums and the field through the Accreditation Program and Continuum of Excellence
• who are creative, holistic, and critical thinkers
• willing to be flexible as the Commission defines how it does its work
• who are engaged in the museum field beyond their own institution
• can represent the field broadly, not just a specific discipline
• willing to consider other viewpoints and work toward consensus

In addition:

Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) in all aspects of museum structure and programming is a priority focus area for AAM. The Accreditation Program is no exception and the Commission is actively exploring how to better codify how it addresses DEAI in its decision-making and application of the standards, using the 2022 report Excellence in DEAI as its foundation. 

Therefore, the Nominating Committee is also looking for qualified individuals to serve on the Accreditation Commission who can and want to be part of advancing this conversation and who can contribute to the diversity of experiences, perspectives, and make-up of the Commission itself. Individuals who identify as belonging to an underrepresented or marginalized community are highly encouraged to apply.

See the official position description (PDF) for a full list of qualifications, qualities and responsibilities.

Learn more about the current Accreditation Commissioners.

Process and Schedule

• December 2024 – January 17, 2025: Nomination period open
• February-March: Committee reviews candidates; candidates selected to advance in the vetting process will be contacted directly
• April: appointment offers made
• June: New Commissioner(s) attend their first meeting