American Alliance of Museums – American Alliance of Museums Privacy notice This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our website and allow us to remember you. We use this information in order to improve and customize your browsing experience and for analytics and metrics about our visitors both on this website and other media. To find out more about the cookies we use, see our Site Search 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. Become an AAM member Make a donation The Impact of Museums 726,000 American jobs are supported by the museum field $50 Billion is contributed to the U.S. economy each year by museums 35,000 museums are in all communities across the U.S., with 20% in rural areas 96% of Americans want legislators to maintain or increase federal funding for museums Highlights A Set of Museum Position Descriptions A strong job description clarifies responsibilities, attracts top talent, streamlines hiring, and provides a roadmap for performance evaluation and professional growth. But a job description alone isn’t enough. Assessing a candidate’s skillset during the hiring process is just as critical. Museums need professionals with a wide range of expertise—from curation and collections management to education, visitor engagement, and security. Beyond technical qualifications, traits like adaptability, communication, problem-solving, and cultural competency are crucial in a candidate’s success. Download the Descriptions 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. Download the Forms Mar/Apr issue of Museum Magazine – From Blueprint to Imprint AAM Member Benefit This issue of Museum details several major construction and renovation projects at museums. What are the pitfalls when planning a renovation, and what impact does it have on your local community? Get advice from an architect and learn how to build with sustainability in mind. The articles offer lessons from real-world experiences and suggestions for responding to challenges museums encounter undergoing construction. Not a member? Join today or purchase a subscription to Museum Preview the new issue Featured Resources Confessions of a Museum Tech Therapist Art Museum Director Survey 2025 How One Museum Expanded Its Archives with 4-Post FreeSpan™ Shelving Sample Policy for Preparing for and Responding to ICE Enforcement Actions in Museums Year-round Advocacy Your Visitors Feel It: The Cost of Disconnected Museum Systems Browse the resource library Featured Contributor Connect with them on Museum Junction Blog: Guiding Light: How Values Exercises Can Help You Present Challenging Content Blog: B.U.I.L.D.-ing Empathy: A Framework for Reinvigorating Your Workplace Contributors are AAM volunteers who share their time and wisdom to support our field’s collective thought leadership. Upcoming Events Museums Advocacy Day February 23-24, 2026 about Museums Advocacy Day Apr 23 AAM LGBTQ+ Museum Professionals Affinity Community: An Invitation to Reconnect April 23, 2026 Apr 28 2026 AIC & CAC Annual Meeting & Conference Palais des congrès de Montréal April 28, 2026 Apr 28 Landing a Board Seat: What It Really Means to Serve Online April 28, 2026 View All Calendar Events » 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 Become a member AAM Member-Only Content AAM Members get exclusive access to premium digital content including: Featured articles from Museum magazine Access to more than 1,500 resource listings from the Resource Center Tools, reports, and templates for equipping your work in museums Not a member? Join Now Learn more about AAM Membership We're Sorry Your current membership level does not allow you to access this content. Upgrade Your Membership Learn More about AAM Membership AAM Member-Only Content AAM Members get exclusive access to premium digital content including: Featured articles from Museum magazine Access to more than 1,500 resource listings from the Resource Center Tools, reports, and templates for equipping your work in museums Not a member? Join Now Learn more about AAM Membership We're Sorry Your current membership level does not allow you to access this content. Upgrade Your Membership Learn More about AAM Membership Subscribe to our Newsletter! Our weekly newsletter is packed with stories, resources, and information for museum people. Once you've completed the form below, confirm your subscription in the email sent to you. If you are a current AAM member, please sign-up using the email address associated with your account. Success! 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