American Alliance of Museums – American Alliance of Museums

American Alliance of Museums – American Alliance of Museums
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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.
Learn more
»
Upcoming Events
Museums Advocacy Day
February 23-24, 2026
Learn more
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
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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
Log In
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
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