By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery earns social responsibility award

Sep 8, 2023 | 3:24 PM

The Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery (the MAG) is the recent recipient of a prestigious award from the Alberta Museums Association (AMA).

This week, the MAG was announced as winner of the 2023 Robert R. Janes Award for Social Responsibility. This is in recognition of its work to integrate social responsibility into all aspects of museum practice.

The work the MAG has done over several years has ultimately led to it being able to tell a fuller story of the city of Red Deer and its citizens, including Indigenous communities and newcomers who continue to arrive.

“The Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery has built strong reciprocal relationships through years of deep and sustained intentional engagement,” said Jennifer Forsyth, AMA Executive Director & CEO. “Demonstrating a commitment to holding space for underrepresented communities and their stories, the museum amplifies the diversity of central Alberta.”

The AMA adds that the MAG’s work in this area should act as a model for other museums.

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

Apr 02, 2026

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

Apr 02, 2026

eyes up

Air Spray training around Red Deer Regional Airport

Apr 02, 2026

“It’s an honour for us to be recognized for being socially responsible in the ways that we work within and with our community, acting as the keepers of our shared history while serving as a springboard for local storytellers and artists,” says Chandra Kastern, MAG director of operations.

“Whether we’re facilitating collaborative exhibitions, delivering accessible programming, diligently preserving our areas artifacts, we deeply respect our responsibility in being an open, safe, inclusive, creative, and fun gathering place, reflective of the diversity within our community. We are looking forward to continuing to strengthen our relationships and forging new ones as we work our way through a comprehensive consultation with our community.”

The award will be presented at a gala later this month at the Gasoline Alley Museum in Calgary.

RELATED NEWS

• Big things to come as Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery celebrates 50 years
• Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery hires new eager director of operations