Archive: Around Town

The American Association of Museums (AAM) has just awarded the Sciencenter with its second AAM Museum Accreditation. Through a rigorous multi-year process of self-assessment and subsequent review by its peers, the Sciencenter has been found to meet National Standards and Best Practices for U.S. Museums and remains a member of a select community of institutions recognized for excellence, accountability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement.  Only 5% of U.S. museums have received this distinction.

The Accreditation Visiting Committee Report highlights the Sciencenter’s “growth into a nationally and internationally known institution with numerous internal business lines delivering on its mission” and its “growing reputation and ability to attract strong talent from throughout the US for its leadership positions, providing the institution a remarkable strength of staff for a small institution in upstate NY.”

Reviewers note particular strength in the leadership capabilities of the executive director, Charlie Trautmann, and deputy director, Lara Litchfield-Kimber, noting particular strength in strategic planning, and in aligning institutional mission with staff management.  Similarly, the Sciencenter’s board of trustees is cited for being highly engaged, with a commendable depth of understanding for both vision and mission and engagement in decision making.

“The past two years have been an exciting time of growth for the Sciencenter,” shares Robin Davisson, Chair of the Sciencenter’s Board of Trustees. “In addition to taking on several new projects and collaborative partnerships, we have grown our staff from 19 to 27, which brought a new infusion of individuals with strong science and management backgrounds to help us build strong leadership across all departments.  It is wonderful and satisfying to be recognized by AAM for this important work.”

Every 10 years, all accredited museums are thoroughly reviewed again, thus the Sciencenter will initiate its next reaccreditation preparations in 2022.  As an accredited museum, the Sciencenter will continue its role in serving as a mentor and resource to other museums in the areas of professional operations, management and effective stewardship of resources.

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