In addition to its eclectic collection of art, the LSU Museum of Art has a new relic to celebrate — a prestigious accreditation.
 
The museum was awarded accreditation from the American        Association of Museums, a feat only 5 percent of museums boasted, according to Thomas Livesay, director of LSU Museum of Art.
 
Livesay called the accreditation “a mark of excellence that reflects on the community.”  
 
The accreditation process for the LSU Museum of Art started in 2007. The museum staff gathered information on all facets of the  museum, including various galleries, programs, facilities and its executive department. Livesay said the accreditation process is entirely voluntary.
 
The AAM’s review of the LSU Museum of Art described it as “one of the leading university art museums in the country and, as such, a leading asset to the University, the extended community and the state of Louisiana.”
 
“The accreditation process is a thorough, all-encompassing study where everything is scrutinized,” said Dewey Blanton, AAM media relations director.
 
The AAM originated in 1906 and has since become the largest service organization for museums in America, Blanton said. The AAM works with different kinds of museums ranging from art to zoos.  
 
Blanton said museums seek accreditation as “a good housekeeping technique,” which puts it among “a prestigious and highly selective group of museums.”
 
Of about 17,500 museums in the U.S., only 775 are accredited, Blanton said.
 
Livesay said the accreditation will attract more students and bring the LSU Museum of Art to the forefront of University activities. He said the museum is a connection from the University to the rest of the Baton Rouge community.
 
“The LSU Museum of Art seems like a very cool place,” said Zachary Davis, biological sciences freshman. “Now that it’s been accredited I definitely want to check it out.”
 
Livesay said the accreditation tells the public the LSU Museum of Art is a high-quality organization.
 
“While the accreditation means a lot for the Museum of Art, it means even more to the public we serve,” Livesay said.
 
 
 
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Contact Kittu Pannu at [email protected]