Norman Rockwell Museum Receives Highest National Recognition

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Awarded Re-Accreditation from the American Association of Museums Stockbridge – Norman Rockwell Museum has again achieved accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for a museum. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. Norman Rockwell Museum was initially accredited in 1997. All museums must undergo a reaccreditation review at least every ten years to maintain accredited status. "Accreditation from the AAM represents the highest peer approval in the museum profession. The board and staff of the Norman Rockwell Museum take pride in knowing their stewardship of the Museum meets the utmost professional standards,” said Norman Rockwell Museum Director/CEO Laurie Norton Moffatt. AAM Accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement. Developed and sustained by museum professionals for 35 years, AAM’s museum accreditation program is the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation, and public accountability. It strengthens the museum profession by promoting practices that enable leaders to make informed decisions, allocate resources wisely, and remain financially and ethically accountable in order to provide the best possible service to the public. Of the nation’s nearly 17,500 museums about 775 are currently accredited. Norman Rockwell Museum is one of only 16 art museums accredited in Massachusetts. “Accredited museums are publicly committed to upholding and sustaining the highest standards and practices in the museum community,” said Kim Igoe, AAM’s Interim President and CEO.” Norman Rockwell Museum is a proven leader in the museum field in providing the best possible museum services and experiences, reminding both their peers and the public exactly how much museums really matter to their communities.” Accreditation is a very rigorous but highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation a museum first must conduct a year of self-study and then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers. AAM’s Accreditation Commission, an independent and autonomous body of museum professionals, consider the self-study and visiting committee report to determine whether a museum should receive accreditation. While the time to complete the process varies by museum, it generally takes as much as three years. The Norman Rockwell Museum is open daily. General public admission is $12.50 for adults, $7 for students, and free for visitors 18 and under (four per adult).On Wednesdays from November to May, senior citizens are admitted at half-price. The Museum is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May through October; from November through April, weekday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and weekend/holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Optional tours are available daily, beginning on the hour. Rockwell's original Stockbridge studio, located on the Museum grounds, is open May through October. For more information, the public is invited to call 413-298-4100, ext. 220 and to visit the Museum’s Web site at www.nrm.org
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Kennedy Calls BCC Workforce Graduates Inspiring

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The programs ranged from emergency medical technician to computers to commercial drivers. See more photos here. 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College Workforce and Community Education graduates were encouraged to be all they can be on Wednesday.
 
Graduates, families, friends, and staff gathered in Boland Theatre to celebrate around 100 graduates who completed a variety of courses.
 
They included community health worker, emergency medical technician, phlebotomy technician, registered behavior technician, AI fundamentals, Commercial Drivers License Class A and B, CompTIA Tech-plus, para educator, and English for Speakers of Other Languages.
 
College President Ellen Kennedy said it was amazing that this might be her last public speaking event before her tenure comes to an end.
 
She acknowledged the diverse reasons for their studies including career advancement and personal growth, commending their vulnerability and dedication. 
 
"Some of you explored AI, some of you improved your English speaking in really important ways, and the reason that each of you is here is because you decided to put your heart and soul to get vulnerable to do something that might have felt a little bit uncomfortable," she said. "And you did it, and we are so incredibly proud of you, and so happy to be here tonight, celebrating you."
 
Keynote speaker Shirley Edgerton, founder of Rites of Passage and Empowerment (ROPE) encouraged the graduates to reflect on their accomplishments and look forward to the future.
 
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