Cedarhurst Center for the Arts in Mt. Vernon has once again earned accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition given to museums in the United States. Cedarhurst has maintained its accredited status since 2016, and museums must undergo a rigorous reaccreditation process at least every ten years to remain in good standing.
Accreditation by the AAM affirms a museum’s commitment to excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. It signals to the museum community, funders, government agencies, and the public that Cedarhurst meets the highest professional standards in the field.
“This is a wonderful achievement, well deserved by the staff and volunteers. They really set Cedarhurst apart,” said Susan Hughey, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “I was happy to see the AAM Commission spoke so highly of our people, as well as the role Cedarhurst plays in our community.”
“Accreditation is a monumental achievement,” said Marilyn Jackson, AAM President & CEO. “The process demonstrates an institution’s commitment to best practice and is flexible enough to be accomplished by museums of any size.”
Executive Director Hillary Esser noted, “We know our commitment to excellence, but this shows the world. Accreditation puts us on the same level as the most prestigious institutions in the country – museums like the Smithsonian Institute and The Met. Accreditation makes Cedarhurst a point of pride for our entire region.”
The Alliance’s accreditation program, which has been developed by museum professionals over the past fifty years, is the museum field’s primary method for quality assurance and public accountability. Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, only about 1,100 are currently accredited.