JANM Receives Re-Accreditation from AAM

The Japanese American National Museum is pleased to announce that it has achieved re-accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest recognition given to the nation’s museums. Accreditation is a mark of excellence that is recognized by the museum community, governments, funders, outside agencies, and the museum-going public. JANM was first accredited in 2002; museums must undergo a reaccreditation review at least every 10 years to maintain accredited status.

Developed and sustained by museum professionals for over 45 years, the AAM’s museum accreditation program is the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation and public accountability. It strengthens the museum profession by promoting practices that enable leaders to make informed decisions, allocate resources wisely, and remain financially and ethically accountable in order to provide the best possible service to the public.

Accreditation is a very rigorous but highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation a museum first must conduct a year of self-study, and then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers. AAM’s Accreditation Commission, an independent and autonomous body of museum professionals, considers the self-study and visiting committee report to determine whether a museum should receive accreditation.

“Achieving accreditation is very hard work, so this is a tribute to the outstanding teamwork of JANM’s staff and volunteers,” said Norman Y. Mineta, Chair of JANM’s Board of Trustees. “Thanks to their dedication and pursuit of excellence, the museum is very well positioned going into the future. We thank the AAM for their vote of confidence and we look forward to many more years of promoting understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience.”

Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, over 1,000 are currently accredited. JANM is one of only 69 museums accredited in the state of California.

To read AAM’s press release, click here.

Take Advantage of Member Appreciation Days This Weekend

Thanksgiving weekend is upon us! And with it, the busiest shopping days of the year.

If you’re a JANM member, why not avoid the crowds at the mall and spend some quality time at one of Southern California’s outstanding museums instead? During Member Appreciation Days, Friday Nov. 28 through Sunday Nov. 30, you can enjoy FREE admission and a 20% store discount at 20 participating institutions, including JANM, the Craft and Folk Art Museum, the California Science Center, and the San Diego Museum of Art, among others. Don’t miss this chance to check out some excellent museums for FREE, and get your holiday shopping done at the same time!

Don’t feel like leaving the comfort of your own home? You get the same 20% discount if you shop at janmstore.com. Below are a few new products, hand-selected by our store managers, that would make great gifts for loved ones.

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Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty exhibition catalog, featuring extensive color photographs, essays by the curators, and a bonus sticker sheet with exclusive Hello Kitty x JANM kokeshi-inspired art.

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Beautiful chrysanthemum tote bag by Yancha, with two inner pockets, a magnetic snap closure, and stain-resistant vinyl finish. Matching cosmetic bag also available!

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Cute nerd wooden oni pendant, featuring a laser-cut image of a Japanese demon. The oni is generally held responsible for negative things in Japanese folklore, but here it’s been turned into an adorable nerd emblem. Skinny nerd version also available!

Visit our Holiday M.A.D.ness page for complete details and a list of participating institutions. To become a member or renew your membership, visit our membership page. Happy Thanksgiving and happy shopping!

Hello Kitty Takes Over JANM


MariAnne is ready to welcome Hello Kitty fans to JANM!
MariAnne is ready to welcome Hello Kitty fans to JANM!

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what’s become of the JANM staff as we labor to bring you Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty. We’ve had Hello Kitty on our minds for quite some time and perhaps now, more than ever, we’re all starting to feel a bit “supercute.”

Hello Kitty desk décor, fashion, and flair are EVERYWHERE in our museum. There’s no denying that this group of hard-working professionals has caught a highly contagious case of Hello Kitty fever. We’re sure you will too when Hello! opens to the public on October 11, only four days from now!

Reserve your timed entry tickets now using our online system! We look forward to seeing you all decked out in your own Hello Kitty finery. In the meantime, we’re getting back to work—there’s still a lot to do!


Liz shares a desk with Hello Kitty while planning a full schedule of public programs for the museum.
Liz shares a desk with Hello Kitty while planning a full schedule of public programs for the museum.


Hello Kitty has managed to squeeze in to Production Manager Vicky’s busy desk. Look closely at the pen in hand!
Hello Kitty has managed to squeeze in to Communications Production Manager Vicky’s busy desk. Look closely at the pen in hand!


Lily even has a Hello Kitty clock to keep track of all those hours spent on curatorial research.
Lily even has a Hello Kitty clock to keep track of all those hours spent on curatorial research.


Leslie, Director of Marketing, demonstrates Sanrio's "small gift big smile" philosophy.
Leslie, Director of Marketing and Communications, demonstrates Sanrio’s “small gift big smile” philosophy.


That looks like Communications Writer Carol, but we can't be sure.
That looks like Communications Writer Carol, but we can’t be sure.


Even John, Director of Media Arts, can’t resist showing off a little Hello Kitty cheer on his JANM lanyard.
Even John, Director of Media Arts, can’t resist showing off a little Hello Kitty cheer on his JANM lanyard.


With Hello Kitty phone and key in hand at all times, Maggie has been working hard to make sure all the Hello Kitty art and artifacts make it to the museum safely.
With Hello Kitty phone and key in hand at all times, Maggie has been working hard to make sure all the Hello Kitty art and artifacts make it to the museum safely.


Want your own exclusive Hello Kitty gear? Store Associates Yvette and Alyctra are ready to help you with all your Hello Kitty x JANM purchases!
Want your own exclusive Hello Kitty gear? Store Associates Yvette and Alyctra are ready to help you with all your Hello Kitty x JANM purchases!