Membership in the Association is based on the qualifications of both the individual director and the specific art museum and no museum may be represented by more than one individual. The Association currently has 170 active members and 29 honorary members. The Association maintains a ceiling of 200 active members. Guiding Principles AAMD affirms its belief in the fundamental importance of art museums and the value of art and artists in society and its commitment to excellence and the highest professional standards. AAMD affirms its belief that art museums must be reflective of and responsive to the communities they serve.
Education is central to engaging diverse publics with the experience of works of art.
AAMD's primary purpose is to serve its members and help them provide the most effective leadership for their institutions. AAMD provides support for its members through appropriate forums at the semiannual meetings that provide formal and informal opportunities to engage in discourse around mutual concerns and shared interests. It also provides support through the value it places on the quality of these exchanges and its willingness to tolerate a wide range of views. AAMD is committed to addressing important public issues as they relate to art museums and to advocating the significance and necessity of art museums in society. AAMD promotes openness in its communications inside and outside the opportunities for partnerships and collaborations.