The Newport Art Museum & Art Association achieved accreditation from the American Association of Museums (AAM). This is the highest national recognition for a museum and it signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-goers.

The accreditation nationally recognizes a museum's commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement. The accreditation program, which has been around for 35 years, is the field's primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation, and public accountability.

There are nearly 17,500 museums in the U.S. and about 775 of those are accredited. Newport Art Museum & Art Association is one of only 16 museums accredited in Rhode Island.