CHARLOTTE – Discovery Place, Inc. has again achieved reaccreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national standard for a museum. AAM Accreditation is a national achievement that recognizes a museum’s commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement.

Of the nation’s nearly 17,500 museums, just over 1,000 are currently accredited, with 21 museums accredited in North Carolina. In Charlotte, Discovery Place, Inc. Museums, both Mint Museums and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art are the only museums currently accredited by the AAM.

“We are thrilled that Discovery Place continues to be recognized as an elite member of museums nationwide. We strive to meet the highest standards in the industry in order to provide our community with exceptional experiences and programs,” said Discovery Place, Inc. president and CEO, Catherine Wilson Horne.

Developed and sustained by museum professionals for nearly 45 years, AAM’s museum accreditation program is the industry’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation and public accountability. It strengthens the museum profession by promoting best practices that enable leaders to make informed decisions, allocate resources wisely, and remain financially and ethically accountable in order to provide the best possible service to the public.

To earn AAM Accreditation a museum first must conduct a year of self-study, then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers. AAM’s Accreditation Commission, a panel of seven museum professionals, consider the self-study and visiting committee report to determine whether a museum should receive accreditation.

“Accredited museums are a community of institutions that have chosen to hold themselves publicly accountable to excellence,” said Alliance President and Chief Executive Officer Laura L. Lott. “Accreditation is a significant achievement, of which both the institutions and the communities they serve can be extremely proud.”

Discovery Place, Inc. Museums have been accredited since 1973. Other notable museums accredited by the AAM include The Smithsonian in Washington, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Field Museum in Chicago, and The Getty Museum in Los Angeles. All AAM museums must undergo a reaccreditation review every ten years to maintain accredited status.

About Discovery Place

One of the top hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place provides ever-changing, entertaining facilities that engage people in the active exploration of science and nature. The Museum brings relevant, contemporary science to life through groundbreaking exhibitions, interactive educational programming and hands-on activities.

Discovery Place is located in uptown Charlotte at 301 N. Tryon Street. Convenient parking is available in the Museum’s parking deck – the Carol Grotnes Belk Complex – at the corner of Sixth and Church Streets. For more information about Discovery Place, call 704.372.6261, visit discoveryplace.org or connect with Discovery Place on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Discovery Place, Inc. owns and operates Discovery Place, Charlotte Nature Museum, Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville and Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham and is supported, in part, with funding from the Arts & Science Council.

About the American Alliance of Museums

The American Alliance of Museums has been bringing museums together since 1906, helping to develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and providing advocacy on issues of concern to the entire museum community. With more than 18,000 individual, 3,000 institutional and 300 corporate members, the Alliance is dedicated to ensuring that museums remain a vital part of the American landscape, connecting people with the greatest achievements of the human experience, past, present and future. For more information, visit www.aam-us.org.

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“Accredited museums are a community of institutions that have chosen to hold themselves publicly accountable to excellence. Accreditation is a significant achievement, of which both the institutions and the communities they serve can be extremely proud.”
Laura L. Lott., Alliance President and Chief Executive Officer