Santa Teresa, NM – The American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the only organization representing the entire scope of the museum community, recently selected a new cohort of museums to participate in its 2024 Museum Assessment Program, including the War Eagles Air Museum.
Since its inception in 1981, the Museum Assessment Program (MAP) has helped more than 5,000 small and mid-sized museums of all types strengthen operations, plan for the future, and meet standards. With 4 types of assessments available, over 60% of AAM-accredited museums have participated in the program.
To participate in the Museum Assessment Program, museums choose from one of four institutional assessment types: Organizational, Collections Stewardship, Education & Interpretation, or Community & Audience Engagement. All four assessment types are grounded in AAM’s Core Standards; are inclusive of Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) issues as they relate to the assessment focus; help museums look at both functional and strategic aspects of their operations; present focused learning modules and action plans for the museum to progress through; and include a peer-reviewed site visit. Over one-third of participating museums found the experience so valuable that they returned to participate another time in the Museum Assessment Program.
“We are incredibly excited to be chosen for the Organizational Assessment as part of the 2024 cohort of MAP museums,” said Vanessa Martinez, Executive Director of War Eagles Air Museum. “This assessment will allow our governance and team to refine our operational strategies and align more closely with best practices, ensuring we continue to effectively serve our beloved Paso Del Norte community and advance our mission.”
The benefits of participating in MAP are clear. Museums often gain clarity on an institutional roadmap or strategic plan, see positive impacts to their visitor experience or community response to their museum, grow in their ability to identify their strengths and challenges, or gain valuable assistance with updating museum policy, successes in fundraising, and other benefits.
MAP is supported through a cooperative agreement between the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the American Alliance of Museums. Read more about the Alliance’s Museum Assessment Program and Continuum of Excellence.
About War Eagles Air Museum
War Eagles Air Museum, established in 1989 by John and Betty McGuire, was created to share their love and passion for aviation and history with the community. Now, more than 30 years on, the museum features the Southwest’s premier collection of meticulously restored historic aircraft spanning from World War II to the Vietnam Conflict eras. The hangar houses an extensive array of vintage and historic automobiles, motorcycles, and a variety of military and transportation artifacts collected over the decades.
The museum’s expansive hangar space not only preserves these artifacts but also hosts a variety of educational programs and social events, ranging from school field trips to weddings. Continuously evolving, the museum’s collection aims to engage and educate all generations about the importance of these extraordinary machines and their roles in both American and global history, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the museum’s staff and volunteers.
For more information on the War Eagles Air Museum visit www.wareaglesairmuseum.com.
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 on the American Alliance of Museums, and the impact of museums, visit aam-us.org.
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