The Orlando Museum of Art received reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums on March 31. (COURTESY OF ORLANDO MUSEUM OF ART)

 

On March 31, The Orlando Museum of Art received reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, marking an end to its probation status.

OMA first received accreditation from AAM in 1971, making it one of the first institutions to receive the prestigious title. 

The status restoration lifted the museum’s probation from AAM after the FBI seized artwork attributed to Jean-Michel Basquiat from its 2022 exhibit “Heroes & Monsters,” following a California man’s admission to forging some of the exhibit’s pieces. 

Accreditation, granted every 10 years, increases a museum’s credibility, making it more appealing to funders, policy makers, the public and other museums to support partnerships. The accreditation process revolves around both a self- and peer-review, taking eight to 16 months to complete, according to AAM. 

To qualify, museums must meet high standards in key areas such as leadership, how they care for their collections, financial stability and the quality of their educational programs. Currently, less than 3% of the nation’s over 33,000 museums hold the prestigious AAM accreditation distinction, according to a recent press release. 

Following its recent evaluation of OMA, AAM stated: “Courageous and ethical leadership, dedicated trustees, clear planning, and training in best practices have put the Orlando Museum of Art on a healthy trajectory.”

OMA’s executive director and CEO, Cathryn Mattson, said in the release that the recent accreditation is a testament to the dedication of its staff, board and volunteers. 

Orlando Museum of Art Director and CEO Cathryn Mattson delivers the People’s
Choice Awards at the 11th Annual Florida Prize in Contemporary Art in 2025. (COURTESY OF ORLANDO MUSUEM OF ART)

“Their tireless efforts ensure that OMA continues to be a place of inspiration, learning and connection, guided by the highest standards of museum management and collection care,” Mattson said. 

The accreditation also follows recent efforts to increase accessibility to the museum, including its Access for All program, offering free admission one day per month since January 2024. 

These efforts to increase accessibility and diversify its programming sparked a 52% increase in admissions from the last fiscal year. The museum’s attendance has now exceeded pre-COVID levels, with only 45% of museums nationwide reaching or exceeding these numbers in 2025, according to the release. 

“This reaccreditation serves as both a milestone and a stepping stone as we continue to advance our mission and contribute meaningfully to our community in the years ahead,” Mattson said in the release.