We champion equitable and impactful museums
by connecting people, fostering learning and community, and nurturing museum excellence.
The American Alliance of Museums is the only organization representing the entire museum field, from art and history museums to science centers and zoos.
The Impact of Museums
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726,000
American jobs are supported by the museum field
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$50 Billion
is contributed to the U.S. economy each year by museums
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35,000
museums are in all communities across the U.S., with 20% in rural areas
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96%
of Americans want legislators to maintain or increase federal funding for museums
Highlights
TrendsWatch: Navigating a Volatile Future
This year the report explores volatility—strategic foresight parlance for the speed of change. That speed has been increasing exponentially in recent decades.
New Resource: Collections Management Form Templates
AAM Member Benefit
How well-documented are your museum’s collections? With our comprehensive bundle of 11 museum collections management forms, ensure efficient record-keeping. Download and tailor templates for acquisitions, accessions, cataloging, condition and damage reporting, deaccessioning, and loans.
Join our first Future Chat: Coping with Climate Risk
Our Center for the Future of Museums is hosting a new series exploring trends, breaking news, and implications for our sector. For first Future Chat on August 14, Elizabeth will be joined by special guest Marcy Rockman, an expert in climate change and cultural heritage. Join to explore how museum professionals can stay up-to-date about climate risk and help communities adapt.
July/August Issue of Museum Magazine
AAM Member Benefit
Museums are equipped to do remarkable work in bringing new perspectives to people, finding common grounds amid division, and deeply examining biases and how to mitigate them. Find out how—and why this work is more important than ever—in the must-read July/August issue of Museum. Members now have access to the digital copy. Not a member? Join today or purchase a subscription to Museum.
Popular Resources
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How to Transform a Volunteer Program in Six Steps
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Emergency Response in the Face of Disasters
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Striking a Balance at the Oakland Museum of California
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Climate Solutions: How Audience Research Helped Us Support Visitors in Envisioning Alternate Climate Realities
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3 Trauma-Informed Practices for Museums to Follow
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Racism, Unrest, and the Role of the Museum Field
Featured Contributor
Book: Inward, Outward, Onward, Upward
Book: Effective Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism Practices for Museums
Museum magazine: Embracing the DEAI Mindset
Blog: A Totally Inclusive Museum
Blog: Serving on the Facing Change: Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Working Group
Contributors are AAM volunteers who share their time and wisdom to support our field’s collective thought leadership. Learn more »
Upcoming Events
Future of Museums Summit
Virtual
October 29-30, 2024
Each year, the American Alliance of Museums’ Center for the Future of Museums releases TrendsWatch, a forecasting report outlining the emerging phenomena impacting the museum field.
Together, we’ll take TrendsWatch a step further in the Future of Museums Summit. Connect with museum professionals around the world in a virtual convening where you’ll go beyond the theoretical and gain tactical strategies and takeaways to plan for a brighter future for you, your museum, and your community. Join from wherever you are to get actionable insights as you dive deeper into the themes of TrendsWatch: Navigating a Volatile Future.
Learn more about Future of Museums Summit
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Aug
6
Next Practices: Discussions on the Future of Interpretation
August 6, 2024
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Aug
14
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Aug
20
Safeguarding Collections
August 20, 2024
We’re in the business of forever, in perpetuity, but that doesn’t mean museums will stay the same. AAM provides us with a lens on the change, allowing us to be more sensitive, to anticipate, and to be more effective in all we do.
Doug Jones, Director, Florida Museum of Natural History