Accreditation Acheived

It took 14 years and an enormous amount of work, but the Alutiiq Museum achieved a long held dream in July - national accreditation.  Bestowed by the American Association of Museums, accreditation is the highest level of professional certification for museums in the United States.  It indicates that a museum meets the most rigorous standards of practice in everything it does, from caring for collections, to serving the public and even preparing for emergencies.
 
“We set accreditation as a goal 14 years ago when we were developing the museum’s program and policies” said Deputy Director Amy Steffian.  “I remember the meeting where our board and staff decided that accreditation could be a great measure for our work, that we could model the museum’s practices after those standards.  We wanted the world to see that a tribal museum could be both a culturally meaningful institution and a first class, professional museum.  It’s thrilling to know that we accomplished that goal.”
 
The Alutiiq Museum is just the seventh museum in Alaska and the second tribal museum in the United States to be accredited.  The initial certification will last 15 years, then the museum must apply to renew its accreditation.
 
“This is a milestone for the Alutiiq Museum,” said Executive Director Sven Haakanson, Jr.  “Accreditation is the professional seal of approval.  It let’s others know that the Alutiiq nation has a model museum.”
 
Many people helped the museum reach its accreditation goal.  “We are especially grateful, to Scott Carrlee of the Alaska State Museum who made us believe that we were ready to begin the application process, and provided an exceptional summer intern, Elizabeth Manekin, to launch our bid,” said Haakanson.  “Once we were in the program, it took the entire board and staff two years of application writing, documentation, correspondence, and finally a site visit to reach this day.  It was a team effort and we did it.  It feels amazing.”

Photo: April Laktonen Counceller inventories emergency supplies.

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