Message from the Director
BOARD OF ADVISORS
Kathleen Beaulieu
Herta Cuneo
Matthew T. Dattilo
Rev. Patrick Dorsey, S.J.
Marsha Goldstein
Nevin Hedlund
Virginia Hogan
Vadim Katznelson
Maureen Lampert
Ellen Landgraf
Peter LoGiudice
Darlene Markovich
Judy McCaskey
Denis M. McNamara
Emily Nixon
Denise Noell
Francesca Parvizyar
René Romero Schuler
Maria Simon
Gayle Tilles
Debra Yates
EX-OFFICIO:
Pamela E. Ambrose
Director of Cultural Affairs
Loyola University Chicago
Rev. Michael J. Garanzini, S.J.
President and CEO
Loyola University Chicago
1
LUMA Awarded Accreditation!
After four years of work from start to finish, we received the
jubilant news that LUMA had been awarded accreditation by
the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). The distinction is
awarded only to museums who exhibit, through their day-to-
day operations and policies, the highest standards, known in the
museum world as best practices.
Out of the approximate 17,500 museums in the United States,
just over 1,000, or 6%, are accredited. Why is the number so
small? Even though most museums operate in a professional
manner, only a few are able to comply with the AAM guidelines
for security, curatorial control of collections, environmental
standards, financial planning, and professional staffing.
Achieving accreditation is not the work of just one person but
rather a joint effort of the museum staff, board of advisors,
and university administration, each of whom contributed to
the development of policy manuals and documents outlining
procedures, and helped to ready the museum for on-site
inspection.
Since LUMA opened its doors in 2005, we have striven to live
our mission. LUMA’s mission to explore the spiritual in art of all
faiths and cultures reinforces Loyola’s mission—the openness of
inquiry, the embrace of diversity, and the excellence of educating
the whole person. We knew, however, that without accreditation
the museum would never grow to its full potential. Slowly, we
began to add valued staff members who brought their experience
and expertise to LUMA. With these additions, we created new
departments and organized compelling programs. We instituted
a board of advisors to provide guidance and advocacy and to
help with strategic planning.
(
cont’d)
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