Recognized as the field’s gold standard for museum excellence for nearly 50 years, AAM accreditation signifies a museum’s quality and credibility to the entire museum community, to governments and outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, 1,078 are currently accredited.

“When the Berman Museum of Art was founded, the tenets of AAM accreditation were forefront in how we built our program,” said Lisa Tremper Hanover, interim director of operations for the Berman. “We continue to strive to sustain and improve upon our efforts in support of the Ursinus College educational mission and our stewardship of the permanent collection resources entrusted to our care.”

The Berman Museum—which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019 during the college’s sesquicentennial—first earned AAM accreditation in 2004. While accreditation is valid for 10 years, a revamped program in 2005 gave museums a five-year grace period for re-accreditation. The Berman began that process in 2018.

The Berman Museum prides itself on presenting innovative exhibitions and programs that delve into the broader world of ideas.

“Our reaccreditation is the result of hard work by museum staff past and present, the Berman National Advisory Council, and the support of the Ursinus College Office of Advancement and the college’s leadership,” Tremper Hanover said.

Through a rigorous process of self-assessment and a review by their peers, AAM-accredited museums have demonstrated that they meet standards and best practices and are educational entities that are appropriate stewards of the collections and resources they hold in the public trust.

“Having been part of the original development of the museum, I know that Phil and Muriel Berman would be so pleased that we continue to reflect the high standards and expectations that they and the college set forth from the outset,” said Jill Leauber Marsteller ’78, senior vice president for advancement. “The Bermans as entrepreneurial partners distinguished Ursinus through their futuristic vision, extensive gifts of art, and impactful philanthropy. More than three decades later, we are pleased and honored that the AAM continues to recognize our museum’s value.”