Stamp of approval: NM Museum of Natural History & Science receives reaccreditation

After an arduous process, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science got the stamp of approval.

The state-run museum received its reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) in early March. There are seven New Mexico museums that are AAM accredited.

“It’s a big sigh of relief,” said Anthony Fiorillo, NMMNHS executive director. “With the museum being accredited by the AAM, it’s the ‘gold standard.’ This means we are a top-tier natural history/anthropology museum.”

Accreditation through AAM, which represents 35,000 museums and museum professionals around the country, offers high profile, peer-based validation of a museum’s operations and impact.

The accreditation increases a museum’s value to funders, policymakers, insurers, and its community and peers. It lasts for 10 years.

The months-long, intensive process is centered on self-study and peer review.

According to the AAM, 8% of natural history and anthropology museums across the country are accredited.

“New Mexicans know how good the museum is,” Fiorillo said. “It’s nice to have that stamp of approval that we are running our operations at the highest level. We are reaching our community.”

According to the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science continues to be the state's most-visited museum.

In fiscal year 2023, the NMMNHS had 256,684 visitors, up from 198,347 in fiscal year 2022.

Fiorillo began in his position in Sept. 2022, and just missed the AAM site visit in Aug. 2022.

AAM’s Accreditation Commission praised Fiorillo for his work stabilizing funding, revitalizing the museum campus, and galvanizing the museum team by filling vacancies since his arrival in 2022.

The AAM letter further highlighted the DCA, which operates NMMNHS, for playing a critical role to help the museum improve on challenges with the active participation of staff.

“Visitors to New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science know the museum is one of our state’s crown jewels, and we’re thrilled to see the institution recognized at the national level,” said Debra Garcia y Griego, DCA Cabinet Secretary.

Fiorillo says the accreditation also helps the museum in getting supporters through the museum’s foundation.

“It reaches the community and the people who support it through donations.,” Fiorillo said. “It shows that the museum knows how to do its business.”

Fiorillo is quick to give credit to the museum staff, DCA and the AAM leadership for the help along the way.

“It’s a team effort,” he said. “The staff stepped up and did what they needed to do to improve the museum. We were able to get guidance from DCA and AAM along the way."

AAM requires museums to undergo periodic reaccreditation reviews to ensure they maintain their level of professional performance. The next self-study is due in 2034.