The Gund at Kenyon College has announced its accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, a prestigious national recognition for U.S. museums. The announcement was made in a press release on April 17, 2025.
According to the press release, this accreditation confirms that The Gund meets established standards for excellence in areas such as education, curatorial practices, public access, and collection stewardship. This achievement places The Gund among just 3% of U.S. museums with such accreditation and reflects its ongoing growth in exhibitions, collections, and public engagement. It also enhances its ability to collaborate with other accredited institutions.
Founded nearly 15 years ago as the Graham Gund Gallery, The Gund now holds over 487 works in its collection and emphasizes global perspectives and interdisciplinary learning. This recognition reflects the collaborative contributions of the museum’s academic and community partners.
"For a museum situated on a college campus, this recognition is not only an institutional achievement — it’s a community one," said Daisy Desrosiers, director and chief curator of The Gund. Desrosiers added that "accreditation strengthens our mission" and "reinforces the need to ask: How do we continue to do this well, with integrity and sustainability?" She said that this achievement deepens their commitment to students and artists through shared learning and practices rooted in care, collaboration, and generosity.
The Gund at Kenyon College is described as a teaching museum dedicated to fostering connections between people, art, and new ideas through exhibitions, educational programs, and community engagement. Originally opened in 2011 as the Gund Gallery, it has since broadened its mission beyond a traditional gallery to include student programs and outreach initiatives like The Annex in Mount Vernon. With a growing collection of over 450 modern and contemporary works, The Gund emphasizes learning, cultural dialogue, and social awareness. It operates as a nonprofit affiliated with Kenyon College supported by private donors, the Ohio Arts Council, and foundations committed to the arts.
