More than one person expressed concern about
the process. I heard statements like, “Whew
accreditation! How much work is that?” Yes, it was
an enormous effort, and I must thank my colleagues
at LUMA and the university, in addition to Loyola
President, Michael J. Garanzini, S.J., for supporting
my goal to make accreditation a reality. Also, my
compliments and thanks go to AAM President Ford
Bell, the accreditation staff, and the review team for
leading us through the valuable process of self-study.
With their guidance, LUMA has become a much
stronger institution.
What does this new imprimatur mean? We can
take a place among an elite group of museums and
ensure that the works of art on view, some loaned
from collections from around the world, are held
in good stewardship. Accreditation is also the
mark of assurance to philanthropies, foundations,
and government agencies, such as the Illinois Arts
Council Agency, the National Endowment for the
Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities,
and the Institute of Museum and Library Services,
that LUMA demonstrates the highest professional
standards in education, public service, and
collections stewardship.
The next time you walk in the front entrance of
LUMA, you will notice the small round AAM logo
on the glass door, indicting to our visitors that the art
held in trust from donors is in the very best of hands.
Pamela E. Ambrose
Director of Cultural Affairs
Loyola University Chicago
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