The Gemological Institute of America Museum has been selected to receive a Museum Assessment Program (MAP) Institutional Assessment Grant.

The MAP program was created to help museums find ways to improve their institutions on every level. It is administered by the American Association of Museums through a cooperative agreement with the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The GIA museum is one of 48 institutions to receive a MAP Institutional Assessment grant this year.

“Through this grant, the GIA Museum will be able to achieve new growth according to the best practices and procedures and bring GIA one step closer to joining the ranks of the nation’s finest museums who have gained AAM accreditation,” said GIA Museum Director Elise Misiorowski.

MAP is a confidential process of self-study, peer review, and implementation. It enables the GIA Museum to evaluate its current practices, enhance its communications throughout the organization, establish priorities to continue achieving professional museum standards, and plan how to best serve the community.

AAM is the only organization representing the nation’s entire museum community. The IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums.

GIA Museum exhibits are free and available to the public through scheduled tours. To sign up for a tour, contact Guest Services at guestservicesmailbox@gia.edu or call 800-421-7250, ext. 4116. Outside the U.S., call 760-603-4116.

JCK