Burchfield Penney Art Center Receives Highest National Recognition  

Awarded Re-Accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums  

The Burchfield Penney Art Center has again achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded to the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. The Burchfield Penney has been accredited since 1994. All museums must undergo a reaccreditation review at least every 10 years to maintain accredited status.
 
Alliance Accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement. Developed and sustained by museum professionals for over fifty years, the Alliance’s museum accreditation program is the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation, and public accountability. It strengthens the museum profession by promoting practices that enable leaders to make informed decisions, allocate resources wisely, and remain financially and ethically accountable to provide the best possible service to the public.  
 
“Re-accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums is both an honor and a reflection of the dedication and professionalism of our staff and board,” says Burchfield Penney Executive Director Scott Propeack. “This rigorous process challenges us to evaluate every aspect of our work and reaffirms our commitment to excellence, accountability, and service to our community. We are proud to be recognized among the nation’s leading museums and remain deeply committed to stewarding the legacy of our region’s artists and Charles E. Burchfield while continuing to grow as a dynamic cultural resource for Buffalo and beyond.” 
 
Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, roughly 1,100 are currently accredited. The Burchfield Penney Art Center is one of only 69 museums accredited in New York State.   
 
Accreditation is a very rigorous but highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation, a museum first must conduct a year of self-study, and then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers. AAM’s Accreditation Commission, an independent and autonomous body of museum professionals, considers the self-study and visiting committee report to determine whether a museum should receive accreditation. In their report, site visit peer reviewers described the Burchfield Penney as “a dynamic, vibrant, and energized regional museum.” 
 
“Accreditation is a monumental achievement,” said Marilyn Jackson, AAM President & CEO. “The process demonstrates an institution’s commitment to best practice and is flexible enough to be accomplished by museums of any size.” 
 

About the Burchfield Penney Art Center 
Established in 1966 on the campus of SUNY Buffalo State University, the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s mission is to cultivate and elevate the work of Charles E. Burchfield and Western New York artists.  
 
The Burchfield Penney Art Center’s programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. The Burchfield Penney receives generous public support from SUNY Buffalo State University, Erie County, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the City of Buffalo. Private support is provided by The Cameron and Jane Baird Foundation, the Cullen Foundation, the Charles E. Burchfield Foundation, M&T Bank, The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation, the Joy Family Foundation, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Designated Inclusive Arts and Culture Organizations Endowment Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Inc., Elizabeth Elser Doolittle Trust, the Mary A. H. Rumsey Foundation, the James Carey Evans Endowment, and many additional individuals, corporations, foundations, and Burchfield Penney members. The Burchfield Penney Art Center is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.  
 
 
About the American Alliance of Museums 
The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) is the only organization representing the entire museum field, from art and history museums to science centers and zoos. Since 1906, we have been championing museums through advocacy and providing museum professionals with the resources, knowledge, inspiration, and connections they need to move the field forward. For more information, visit aam-us.org. 

Media Contact
Julia Norris
Director of Communications
716-878-3457
norrisjl[at]buffalostate.edu