The Museum of New Mexico announced Monday that it has been reaccredited by the American Association of Museums.

The announcement was made at the Department of Cultural Affairs' annual Culture Day in the Capitol Rotunda.

"It's like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval," said Bonnie Styles, chairwoman of AAM's Accreditation Commission and director of the Illinois State Museum.

About 4.5 percent of the 17,500 museums in the U.S. -- 778 -- have been recognized by the association for their high standards of excellence.

Styles said there are numerous benefits to AAM accreditation. Besides making an institution more sound, it can give it a leg up in winning federal, state and local support. It encourages private philanthropy. And it also helps museums borrow objects from other institutions because accreditation assures high standards of care.

And, she added, it carries prestige as in, "This tiny museum has the same standards as the Metropolitan Museum of Art."

Accreditation is a rigorous process, and not for everyone. "A typewriter museum is probably not going to bother," said Kate Nelson, media contact for the Museum of New Mexico.

It begins with a self study, an internal assessment of policies, programs and governance that can take a year or more. Then there is a peer review in which fellow museum professionals visit the museum to verify what the institution has said about its governance, planning, facilities, collection care, education and interpretation programs, as well as how it engages the public.

"We were very impressed with the statewide impact of this museum system," she noted.

A third of the country's museums are suffering from pretty drastic reduction in financial support. But that doesn't mean they can't be accredited. "The Museum of New Mexico has sustained cuts and we have some concerns for the future, but it has been incredibly resourceful," Styles said. She cited the Museum Resources Division, which serves all the museums, and the cross-training of grounds and maintenance staff.

"We hope this announcement and the celebration of Culture Day generates wider awareness and appreciation for the value of culture, arts and arts education in New Mexico," said DCA Secretary Veronica Gonzales in a news release.

The Museum of New Mexico includes 14 state-operated entities including: the New Mexico History Museum/Palace of the Governors; Museum of International Folk Art; New Mexico Museum of Art; Museum of Indian Arts & Culture; Museum Resources Division; Office of Archaeological Studies; and eight state monuments. It was first accredited by AAM in 1976.

AAM, founded in 1906, has 15,000 individual, 3,000 institutional and 300 corporate members.

Contact Anne Constable at 986-3022 or aconstable@sfnewmexican.com.