ABSTRACT
America's museums are among the nation's most important cultural assets. These museums are remarkably diverse in size and discipline and increasingly reflect the issues, diversity, and complexity of their communities. American museums are highly professionalized, working within well-defined standards with well-trained, specialized staff. National leadership and support for museums comes through the American Association of Museums, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and numerous discipline-based professional associations. The museum field today works more closely with the public and communities than ever before, reflecting a trend toward accountability, collaboration, and the creation of public value.
