FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 12, 2017 Contact: Nancy Johnson, Executive Director
IMAGINE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM RECEIVES HIGHEST NATIONAL RECOGNITION Everett, Washington – Imagine Children’s Museum is excited to announce they have achieved accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies and to the museum-going public. The American Alliance of Museums accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement. “Accreditation is clearly a significant achievement, of which both the institutions and the communities they serve can be extremely proud.” Laura L. Lott, Alliance president and CEO. “During the last two years Imagine Children’s Museum’s Board and staff have worked diligently on the accreditation requirements. The process has made our institution stronger; helping to ensure the Museum will be here for generations to come. We sought to achieve accreditation to provide donors the highest level of confidence in our organization,” said Nancy Johnson, Executive Director of Imagine Children’s Museum. Accreditation is a very rigorous but highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation a museum must meet stringent standards, submit extensive documentation, complete Strategic Institutional Planning and undergo an onsite review. Once the process is completed, it is reviewed by the Alliance’s Accreditation Commission for final approval. There are 33,000 museums in the U.S. including zoos, aquariums, science centers, botanical gardens, nature centers and all types of museums. Of those, just over 1,000 are accredited, and fewer than 20 are children’s museums! About Imagine Children’s Museum Imagine serves children ages 1-12 and their caregivers. Three floors of interactive Museum exhibits and classes are designed to develop academic and life skills—social/emotional, physical, critical thinking, independence and self-confidence—in children of all abilities regardless of race, gender or socioeconomic status. Imagine works with schools, childcare centers, social service providers and other nonprofits to bring playful learning opportunities to children throughout Snohomish County. A summer literacy program and afterschool science clubs in area schools are among the ways we work to provide education and emotional support and guidance to those children who need it most. The Museum is located on the corner of Wall and Hoyt Streets in downtown Everett. For hours and admission information, visit www.ImagineCM.org or call (425) 258-1006. If you would like more information about this topic please call Nancy Johnson at (425) 258 1006, |