LSU Museum of Art Reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Highest National Recognition
March 26, 2025
The LSU Museum of Art has, again, achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded to the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, governments, funders, outside agencies, and the museum-going public.
The LSU Museum of Art has been accredited since 2010. All museums must undergo a reaccreditation review at least every 10 years to maintain accredited status.
The LSU Museum of Art
Alliance Accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to accountability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement. Developed and sustained by museum professionals for over fifty years, AAM’s accreditation program is the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation, and public accountability. It strengthens the museum profession by promoting practices that enable leaders to make informed decisions, allocate resources wisely, and remain financially and ethically accountable to provide the best possible service to the public.
Director of the LSU Museum of Art Mark Tullos said the accreditation process provides a valuable opportunity for reflection and growth among the art museum
"We were especially pleased that our museum colleagues recognized what makes the LSU Museum of Art distinctive—our commitment to engagement, education, and fostering meaningful connections through art,” Tullos said. “As a university art museum, we strive to challenge expectations, inspire curiosity, and create dynamic experiences for our community. This process allowed us to reaffirm our mission and articulate the impact of our work."
Accreditation is a very rigorous but highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation, a museum must conduct a year of self-study, and then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers.
The AAM Accreditation Commission, an independent and autonomous body of museum professionals, considers the self-study and visiting committee report to determine whether a museum should receive accreditation.
“Accreditation is a monumental achievement,” AAM President and CEO Marilyn Jackson said. “The process demonstrates an institution’s commitment to best practice and is flexible enough to be accomplished by museums of any size.”
The LSU Museum of Art is proud to achieve a mark of excellence from the AAM that signifies its dedication to providing transformative encounters with art.
The 2023-24 Academic year included many encounters including the Access for All program made possible through a $240,000 grant from the Art Bridges Foundation. The LSU Museum of Art was the only museum in the state to receive this support. Over the past year, the museum not only expanded museum collections storage, but also presented significant exhibitions, including In a New Light: American Impressionism 1870 – 1940, Works from the Bank of America Collection.
Tullos said education is enriched by engagement with the arts, and this accreditation reinforces the vital role the museum plays in fostering creativity, scholarship, and community connection.
"This accreditation is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire LSU team, who committed to this rigorous process over the past year," Tullos said. "We are especially grateful for the leadership of Dr. Jane Cassidy, Vice Provost, for helping coordinate university support for a myriad of goals to prepare for the review. We also deeply appreciate the support of LSU’s senior administration, who passionately champion the museum as an essential academic and cultural resource.”
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