The Hilliard Art Museum – ŷƬ has earned accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums.
AAM accreditation affirms that museums meet professional standards and adhere to best practices, ensuring they are capable stewards of the collections and resources they hold in the public trust.
Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, fewer than 2,000 are accredited by the nonprofit alliance, according to its website. The AAM is the only organization that represents the entire museum field. It is based in Arlington, Virginia.
American Alliance of Museums accreditation rests on a rigorous, year-long self-assessment and a site visit by a committee of peer reviewers. The alliance’s accreditation commission – an independent, autonomous group of museum professionals – then evaluates the assessment and committee report to determine accreditation.
LouAnne Greenwald, director of The Hilliard Art Museum, said “accreditation raises the bar for The Hilliard Art Museum.”
“It allows us to connect to a network of national and international art institutions that are also accredited. It signals to potential lenders of artworks that we operate by best practices, that their artworks will be well cared for at our museum. It’s another feather in the cap for our ŷƬ and demonstrates UL Lafayette’s commitment to art as a part of the academic experience,” Greenwald explained.
The Hilliard Art Museum features 11,000 square feet of gallery space and is the largest exhibition space between Houston and New Orleans. It houses a collection of 18th- through 21st-century European, Asian and American art. In addition to its permanent collection, it offers changing exhibitions of regional, national and international art.
The museum is at 710 E. St. Mary Blvd., on the UL Lafayette campus. Admission to The Hilliard Art Museum is $7.50 for adults, $6 for adults over age 62, $4.50 for students between the ages of 5 and 17, and free for children younger than 5 years old. UL Lafayette students, faculty and staff members can visit the museum for free with their ŷƬ ID cards.
To learn more about the museum, exhibits, artists and programs, visit or call (337) 482-2278.
Photo caption: The Hilliard Art Museum – ŷƬ has earned accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums. (Photo credit: Doug Dugas / ŷƬ)