The Award for Distinguished Service to Museums was authorized by the Board of the American Association of Museums to recognize unusual excellence and distinguished contributions to the museum profession. The annual award is presented to a person who has made a significant contribution to museums. The recipient s affiliation with museums must be a sustained one and an integral part of his or her career.
Nominees can be currently active in the field, a trustee, or in retirement.
The award, in the form of a medal and a citation, is presented at AAM s annual meeting. The bronze medal is three inches in diameter and the obverse is symbolic of the museums of the United States. The design is based on the nautilus shell with its many splendid chambers, and its expanding effect on the centrifugal force of the museum movement. Nominees for this award shall have approximately 20 years or more experience in the museum field. The nomination should be submitted by someone who knows the candidate well.