Sioux City Art Center reaccredited
11:20 AM
By Lynn Zerschling Journal staff writer | Posted: Wednesday, September 06, 2006
The Sioux City Art Center won reaccreditation from the American Association of Museums, making it one of only 20 percent of the museums across the country achieving that prestigious status.
"We have museum standards," Director Al Harris-Fernandez said Wednesday outside the art center, at 225 Nebraska St. "It's a rigorous process and raises everyone's professionalism in the field."
Councilman Jim Rixner said the accreditation will be for 10 years. Initially accredited in 1982, the art center staff had to prepare reports, present its policies, undergo a comprehensive self-assessment process and undergo a two-day visit by two museum professionals in order to keep its status.
The designation will help the art center in bringing in national exhibits to Sioux City, such as the Rodin exhibit in 2003 and the "Becoming a Nation" blockbuster exhibit in 2004. Sioux City was one of only five cities in the country to feature the "Becoming a Nation" exhibit, which featured objects from the diplomatic reception rooms of the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
The current exhibit, "Fashion In Film: Period Costumes for the Screen," ends Sunday.
"They looked at more than at our fine arts aspect," Steve Kammerer, chairman of the board of trustees, emphasized. "Are your bathrooms clean? Do you have a plan for floods and disasters? How are you going to preserve your art work if that happens? Are your buildings and grounds clean?"
Jay Chesterman, Art Center Association president, added, "Accreditation is important to our professional standing and credibility and very helpful in raising funds to support our programs."
Of the nation's 17,500 museums, only about 775 are accredited, Harris-Fernandez said. In Iowa, 19 museums hold that certification. City and private support finance the center's operations.
For the complete story, read Thursday's Sioux City Journal.
"We have museum standards," Director Al Harris-Fernandez said Wednesday outside the art center, at 225 Nebraska St. "It's a rigorous process and raises everyone's professionalism in the field."
Councilman Jim Rixner said the accreditation will be for 10 years. Initially accredited in 1982, the art center staff had to prepare reports, present its policies, undergo a comprehensive self-assessment process and undergo a two-day visit by two museum professionals in order to keep its status.
The designation will help the art center in bringing in national exhibits to Sioux City, such as the Rodin exhibit in 2003 and the "Becoming a Nation" blockbuster exhibit in 2004. Sioux City was one of only five cities in the country to feature the "Becoming a Nation" exhibit, which featured objects from the diplomatic reception rooms of the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
The current exhibit, "Fashion In Film: Period Costumes for the Screen," ends Sunday.
"They looked at more than at our fine arts aspect," Steve Kammerer, chairman of the board of trustees, emphasized. "Are your bathrooms clean? Do you have a plan for floods and disasters? How are you going to preserve your art work if that happens? Are your buildings and grounds clean?"
Jay Chesterman, Art Center Association president, added, "Accreditation is important to our professional standing and credibility and very helpful in raising funds to support our programs."
Of the nation's 17,500 museums, only about 775 are accredited, Harris-Fernandez said. In Iowa, 19 museums hold that certification. City and private support finance the center's operations.
For the complete story, read Thursday's Sioux City Journal.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 1 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
Dean wrote on Sep 8, 2006 11:59 AM: