Taft Museum earns perfect score as part of reaccreditation process

The American Alliance of Museums’ Accreditation Commission has awarded the Taft Museum of Art reaccreditation.

Accreditation, a peer-based validation of a museum’s operations and impact, has been a mark of distinction in the museum field since 1971. After a rigorous process of self-assessment and peer review, the Taft Museum demonstrated it is a good steward of resources held in the public trust, committed to continual growth, and meeting or exceeding best practices.

“The Taft Museum of Art is a model institution in every way. Your leadership brings fresh enthusiasm to the institution. The inclusivity of the board, leadership and staff, and their alignment around mission and purpose are impressive; we commend their combined efforts to make the museum a welcoming place for all,” said Marise McDermott, chair of the Accreditation Commission and president emeritus of the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Texas.

What the reviewers said

Museums receive accreditation based on adherence to the Core Standards for Museums, which include Public Trust and Accountability, Mission and Planning, Leadership and Organizational Structure, Collections Stewardship, Education and Interpretation, Financial Stability, and Facilities and Risk Management. The Taft Museum earned a perfect score of 74/74, meeting or exceeding expectations in every category.

Peer reviewers Susan Obert, CEO and executive director of the Haggin Museum in Stockton, California, and Gary Stoppelman, executive director of the Dubuque Museum of Art in Dubuque, Iowa, praised the Taft’s transparency, commitment to diverse communities, and strategic planning.

The reviewers noted the museum’s efforts to engage diverse audiences, highlighting initiatives like the Learning & Outreach Department’s sensory exploration, the Duncanson programs, and the expanded labels and temporary exhibitions in the Collections Department. They also commended the museum’s marketing and development strategies for refining its community voice and securing funding.

“We never experience a museum staff or board that has such deep mutual respect and shared language, especially during periods of large-scale change as the Taft Museum undergoes,” Obert and Stoppelman said in a statement.

The Taft Museum of Art will be up for reaccreditation on March 1, 2035.

Taft Museum of Art