Arab American National Museum Earns Prestigious Accreditation

posted on: Sep 16, 2013

The Arab American National Museum has earned accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, something just 6 percent of the nation’s 17,500 museums have earned.

The museum is planning to announce the honor at a private reception Monday evening.

The group examines all aspects of a museum’s operation, and a group of peer reviewers visit the museum. The museum also conducts a yearlong self-study.

The museum opened in 2005, and it has been aiming for the accreditation since 2007.

“It’s really the gold mark to get accreditation,” said Devon Akmon, museum director. “We’re excited. It’s huge.”

It’s been a busy time for the museum, 13624 Michigan Ave., which saw Akmon promoted from deputy director to director effective July 1 to succeed founding director Anan Ameri, who retired; is in the process of expanding into two neighboring buildings it purchased; has launched its Global Fridays program; and will host its major annual fundraiser, “The Spirit of Al-Andalus: A Concert of Arab Music and Flamenco” at 8 p.m. Saturday at Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit.

More information about Global Fridays and Saturday’s fundraiser is available <a href=”www.arabamericanmuseum.org”>here</a>.

Joe Slezak
Press & Guide Newspapers