Watch clips from the press conference (2:42) or NBC 25's coverage

Listen to excerpts from the press conference by Tim Shickles, director of Sloan*Longway,
and Tim Herman, CEO of Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce (2:00)

Sloan*Longway Receives Accreditation
from American Association of Museums

Flint, MI - The Alfred P. Sloan Museum and Longway Planetarium (Sloan*Longway) have received national recognition with the announcement of accreditation from the American Association of Museums (AAM). This prestigious award is the culmination of a two-year process which included examination of public programming and collections care. Read the articles from The Flint Journal and NBC25.

The AAM requires a strict self-study of the organization which includes supporting documents and images relating to all aspects of museum functions including mission, governance, leadership, financial, collections, museum profile, programs, exhibits, marketing and policies. Requirements also included a two-day on-site visit from AAM officials with a tour of the facilities, as well as staff interviews.

Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce photos Tim Shickles, director of Sloan*Longway, speaks about the accredidation from the American Association of Museums (AAM) on August 20, 2008.

Tim Herman, CEO of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce, congratulates Sloan*Longway at the press conference August, 12, 2008.

"By choosing to successfully participate in the accreditation process, the Sloan Museum and Longway Planetarium has proven its commitment to excellence in all that is does, from financial management to public programs to governance to transparency," said Ford W. Bell, president of AAM. "Accreditation is emblematic of the museum’s commitment to serve the public and means they are one of America’s premier museums. The people of Flint can take great pride in having such a worthy institution as part of their community."

Only 744 museums out of 9,500 AAM member organizations have earned accreditation. Sloan*Longway was honored for this highly significant award by Congressman Dale E. Kildee and was recognized in the Congressional Record.

The AAM accreditation is the third received by the Alfred P. Sloan museum. However, this is the first time the accreditation has included Longway Planetarium. The Alfred P. Sloan Museum and Longway Planetarium merged to become Sloan*Longway in 2004. The accreditation is valid for ten years.

"I am extremely proud of the staffs of the museum, planetarium and Flint Cultural Center Corporation, along with the volunteers and board members, all of whom contributed toward achieving this national recognition. Sloan Muesum, Longway Planetarium and the Buick Gallery & Research Center are important cultural assets to the Flint community and it is gratifying to know that these institutions rank among the top 10% of museums across the country," said Tim Shickles, director of Sloan*Longway.

Alfred P. Sloan Museum is located at 1221 E. Kearsley St., Flint MI, 48503; (810) 237-3450. Longway Planetarium is located at 1310 E. Kearsley St., Flint MI, 48503; (810) 237-3400. Visit online at www.sloanlongway.org. Sloan*Longway is a member organization of the Flint Cultural Center Corporation and is supported in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).