This award highlights important and noteworthy work that is driving impact and making a difference both internally through museum workplace culture, programs, and policies and externally through engagement with museum audiences and communities. The work of awardees serves as a learning opportunity and inspiration to others in the field.

Multiple individuals, programs/initiatives, and organizations may be recognized in a given year. Recognition may be given for:

• Individuals who have served as a catalyst for change for positive museum impact in their workplace, community, and/or the museum field.
• Single programs/initiatives in any area of a museum’s structure (administration, collections management, community engagement, curation, development, exhibitions, education, human resources, public relations, registration, etc.) that advance museum impact.
• Organizations that demonstrate sustained and measurable support for advancing museum impact—in the community or for the museum field—across all areas of their structure, internally and externally.

Contact aamnominate@aam-us.org with questions.

Eligibility

Individuals:

• Nominees may work for or with museums in any capacity.
• Nominee may be from or based in any country but must demonstrate contributions to US museum(s) and/or the US museum field.
• Self-nominations are accepted.

Programs/Initiatives and Organizations:

• Nominees may include museums, museum service organizations, affiliate organizations, ally organizations, related collectives, consultant organizations, universities, etc.—and any program or initiative within those organizations.
• Nominations may be submitted by staff of the organization or program/initiative being nominated, or by a peer.
• Recognition is limited to programs/initiatives and organizations based in the United States.

Timeline & Additional Information

Check back later this year for 2026 nomination timelines and additional information.

Read about all 2024 AAM honorees.