Lehigh University Art Galleries Selected to Participate in National Museum Assessment Program

Lehigh University Art Galleries has been selected to participate in the Museum Assessment Program (MAP), which is administered by the American Alliance of Museums. Through guided self-study assessment and on-site consultation with a museum professional, participation in MAP will empower Lehigh University Art Galleries to better serve the citizens of Bethlehem by facilitating its meeting and exceeding the highest professional standards of the museum field.

The museum’s participation is made possible through funding provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). MAP helps museums strengthen operations, plan for the future, and meet standards through self-study assessment and a consultative site visit from an expert peer reviewer.

The Lehigh University Art Galleries has chosen to do a MAP Collections Stewardship assessment in order to conduct an analysis of its approach to collections management, and to ensure that LUAG is meeting best practices in protecting, preserving, cataloging, and making artworks accessible to the broadest possible audience. 

“We are thrilled that LUAG has been accepted into this prestigious peer-review program, particularly as we prepare for accreditation.  With a growing collection of over 18,000 artworks from diverse time periods and cultures, we are committed to ensuring that this University resource is stewarded with the utmost care and with an aim to maximizing its use for future generations.”

“Choosing to be part of the MAP program is indicative of the commitment to civic involvement, public service and overall excellence on the part of Lehigh University Art Galleries,” said Laura Lott, president of AAM. “Studies have shown America’s museums to be among the country’s most trusted and valued institutions. MAP is designed to make them even better.”

Since its creation in 1981, the MAP program has served over 5,000 museums. MAP is supported through a cooperative agreement between AAM and IMLS. For more information, including a complete list of museums participating in MAP, please visit www.aam-us.org/map, call 202-289-9118 or e-mail map@aam-us.org. Our website also has information about museums across the country who have previously participated in MAP and other AAM Excellence Programs (such as Core Document Verification and Accreditation).

AAM is the only organization representing the nation’s entire museum community and has been dedicated to promoting excellence within the museum field for over 100 years. For more information about AAM, visit www.aam-us.org. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. To learn more about the Institute, please visit: http://www.imls.gov.