2019
Award of Merit – Exhibitions
- Wild Things – Museum of Vancouver and Nature Vancouver
Award of Merit – Community Engagement
- Cross-Cultural Strathcona Walking Tour and the 17 partner organizations that made up the working group
Award of Merit – Excellence in Collections
- Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre’s new collections management database
Honourable Mention – Impact and Engagement
- “Húy̓at: Our Voices our Land” interactive website (www.hauyat.ca) is the result of eight years of collaboration between Heiltsuk First Nation and researchers from several institutions.
Honorable Mention – Sustainability
- The Cannery Cat’s Collection exhibit celebrating 125th anniversary of the Gulf of Georgia National Historic Site
Honourable Mention – Excellence
- Luminocity – Kamloops Art Gallery (tie)
- BOOM! – Britannia Mine Museum (tie)
2018
Award of Merit – Exhibitions
- The Reach Gallery Museum – Grand Theft Terra Firma
Award of Merit – Community Engagement
- Nikkei National Museum – Honouring the 75th anniversary of Japanese Canadian Internment
Award of Merit – Excellence in Collections
- Mayne Island Museum under the auspices of the Mayne Island Agricultural Society – Digitizing of John Aitken’s work
2017
Award of Merit – Exhibitions
- Fernie Museum – An Immigrant Story: The Rise and Fall of Emilio Picariello
- The Exploration Place Museum + Science Centre – Hodul’eh-a: A Place of Learning
Award of Merit – Community Engagement
- Musqueam Indian Band and UBC Museum of Anthropology – xʷməθkʷəy̓əm: qʷi: l̕qʷəl̕ ʔə kʷθə snəw̓eyəɬ ct, Musqueam: Giving Information About Our Teachings
Museum Stewardship and Service Award
- Costume Museum at Government House (originally nominated for Award of Merit – Community Engagement)
Innovation Award, sponsored by NGX Interactive
- Carl Schlichting, Museum of Anthropology at UBC – for creative and innovative development of mounting technology
Distinguished Service Award
- Gary Mitchell – BC Archives (retired)
Honourable Mention – Impact and Engagement
- Surrey Art Gallery – UrbanScreen Projecting Art After Dark (originally nominated for Award of Merit – Community Engagement)
2016
- Chinese Canadian Artifacts Project – For the 16 museums across BC who came together to make their Chinese Canadian holdings publicly accessible in an online database.
- Sikh Heritage Museum National Historic Site – For four years of innovative programming and exhibits recognizing and raising awareness of Sikh heritage and history in British Columbia and Canada at the Gur Sikh Temple.
- The Residential and Indian Day School Art Research Project – For gathering and sharing the personal stories behind student-produced art at Residential and Indian Day Schools.
2015
- UBC Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver – UBC Museum of Anthropology curator Pam Brown and the exhibition team for the “Claiming Space: Voices of Urban Aboriginal Youth” exhibit.
- Vernon Public Art Gallery – for the successful Okanagan Print Triennial.
2014
- UBC Museum of Anthropology,Vancouver – For the exhibit, “Paradise Lost? Contemporary Works from the Pacific”. Curatorial director, Dr. Carol Mayer, accepted the award on behalf of the Museum.
- Fraser River Discovery Centre, New Westminster – For the exhibit, “My River My Home”. Executive Director Catherine Ouellet-Martin accepted the award on behalf of the centre.
- Two Rivers Gallery, Prince George – For the “2RG Maker Lab”. Director of Public Programs, Caroline Holmes, and makerLab coordinator, Kathleen Angelski, accepted the award on behalf of the gallery.
2013
- Robert Campbell – For his role with the Exploration Place’s exhibit, “Cultural Expressions of the Lheidli T’Enneh”.
2012
- Nancy Noble, CEO, Museum of Vancouver – For the transformation of the Museum of Vancouver, an impressive fresh start in identifying, focusing, and developing relationships with the communities the Museum serves. The award acknowledges the process of transformation, satisfying all stakeholders, and management. There are genuine shifts in MOV’s work process, incorporating new practices and approaches for stronger relationships with its communities.
- Museum of Anthropology – For the exhibition “:Kesu’ – The Art and Life of Doug Cranmer”. The exhibit team was comprised of Jennifer Kramer, Vivian Cranmer and Gloria Cranmer Webster with design by Skooker Broome and educational programming by Dr. Jill Baird. The exhibit was impressive in interpreting a personality, and once again, identified the Museum of Anthropology as leading the way in how we frame exhibits. Doug Cranmer as a person did not seek attention, yet he was valued as an artist and leader. The exhibit excelled in meeting community and institutional expectations by exploration of relationships between tradition and modernity.
- Royal BC Museum – For the exhibition “Aliens Among Us” and the many compelling and excellent parts to this exhibit. Planning and interpretation were well integrated as the exhibit met the needs of the community museums that hosted the exhibit. Its success comes from the attention to detail and its impact on host communities notable with above average attendance and engagement. The exhibit is modest in size and scope however excellence in presentation of the content was achieved. RBCM’s mandate was met and the exploration of new technologies (mobile apps) gives other museums an experience to draw upon and learn. The Committee also noted the approach to fundraising as a good model for other museums to emulate
2011
- Kirstin Clausen, Executive Director, Britannia Mine Museum – For achievements in fundraising, historic restoration, museum interpretation, education and a variety of other tasks associated with the complete restoration and refurbishment of a major historical/industrial site. Kirstin maintained high standards in museum practice while planning to make the Britannia Mine Museum a popular tourist attraction and business. Her work has been recognized by the Canadian Museums Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in Facility Development and Design. Kirsten’s achievement implementing an ambitious and comprehensive plan to refurbish the Britannia Mine Museum is recognized for its scale. Her work has shown innovation and an unswerving commitment to core museum values of restoration, interpretation, education and conservation.
- The Reach Gallery Museum, Abbotsford BC – For Beadwork-Radical Practices, Beading Practices of Yukon First Nations (Canada) and the Ndebele (South Africa) Beadwork- Radical Practices interprets two beadwork traditions from two very different cultures. The differences and similarities of these two traditions are explored, with emphasis on the historical aspects as well as materials, outside influences, use of beadwork in the ceremonial and everyday contexts, and the place of beadwork within women’s traditions. A panel discussion entitled “The Politics of Collecting Indigenous Artwork”, curator’s tours and a reception were also part of the exhibit. The show included beadwork objects from the Iziko South African National Gallery in Cape Town, South Africa, the Yukon Territorial Government Permanent Art Collection, and the MacBride Museum, both in Whitehorse, Yukon. The international quality and cross-cultural perspective of the show was both illuminating and respectful to the cultures and traditions represented.
- Richard Todd McCrea, Tumbler Ridge – Richard Todd McCrea has been active in researching, interpreting and promoting the paleontological heritage of the Tumbler Ridge area since 2001. His first visit prompted him to interrupt his ongoing PhD studies and move to Tumbler Ridge, where he was instrumental in the formation of the Tumbler Ridge Museum Foundation. After raising sufficient funds and working to promote and protect paleontological sites around Tumbler Ridge, the Peace River Paleontological Research Centre was established. In May of 2010, the 6000 square foot Dinosaur Discovery Gallery was opened. The Research Centre and the museum now have a collection of international importance, augmented by education programs and other forms of public outreach. Richard McCrea is recognized for creating a highly regarded heritage resource. Mr. McCrea is clearly a trailblazer in what he has accomplished in Tumbler Ridge. As his nominator, Dr. Charles Helm makes clear, the community of Tumbler Ridge, which was facing near extinction, has been revitalized by its appearance on the scene as an internationally recognized centre for research and interpretation. As a result, the region has become a prime northern BC tourist destination, with all of the positive economic benefits this implies. In all of this activity, high standards of preservation, interpretation and research have been maintained.
2006
- The Kelowna Art Gallery – For the exhibition, In the Spirit of N’ha-a-tik and Artists’ Educational Bundle Project, a first-time collaboration between the Kelowna Art Gallery and the Westbank First Nation which showcased contemporary artwork by Westbank First Nation artists. The Artists’ Educational Bundle Project creatively combined artists’ book and educational bundle concepts to perpetuate content from the exhibit and actively extend Okanagan First Nation artistic and oral traditions into local classrooms. The final project culminated in 70 custom-made boxes containing a DVD of the artists and artwork, samples of ethno-botanical plants, a teacher’s guide, original artwork and artists’ materials. The first artists’ educational bundle was presented to former Prime Minister Paul Martin during the First Nation’s Summit, held in Kelowna, BC in October 2005. In May 2006, the Project was presented at the UN Summit, A Dialogue for the Future in New York, NY. This award was sponsored by BC Hydro.
- The Exploration Place Science Centre & Museum – For the Common Language Project which involved comprehensive research and an exhibit from the Athapaskan language group, in partnership with the Nak’azdli Band Treaty office of Fort St. James, BC. The project culminated in the installation of a new exhibit of Carrier material culture at The Exploration Place, as well as a research study volume Treasures of the Carrier People, binders of visual images from other holdings, and a collections database. The Exploration Place was also recognized for bringing forward “the resources housed in the minds of individual elders,” sharing them “in a concrete format,” and providing “a number of access routes now available for the people of remote First Nations communities.” This award was sponsored by the University of Northern BC.
- The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre – For 50 years of outstanding, innovative and creative achievements including: an impressive volunteer program of over 900 volunteers who contributed over 60,000 hours in the past year alone; a stellar environmental education program including their traveling classroom of the last ten years, the “Aquavan”; a first LEED gold building in a Canadian museum or zoo or aquarium anywhere in the world; and its successful, exemplary operations which has been achieved without annual government subsidy.
2005
- Kelowna Art Gallery – For Breakaway! Creative and innovative in new audience and theme development for the gallery – sports and the visual arts. A wider audience/new market was reached through its presentation and timed with a special community sports event, the 2004 Mastercard Memorial Cup National Junior Hockey Championship. Breakaway! succeeded with its plan to draw new visitors to the art world and the gallery. The Committee was also impressed with the creative energy and effort that went into the public programming, media releases and publications.
- Chilliwack Museum & Archives – For Brewer’s Gold, an innovative compilation from a variety of sources on hops – a subject unique to BC history – into a travelling show that matched national standards of excellence, raising the bar for a BC travelling exhibit of that size. It is professional, thorough, and well designed. The Committee noted that Brewer’s Gold was a remarkable achievement for a museum of this size to accomplish.
2004
- Two Rivers Gallery, Prince George – For “Rough Hewn: George Sawchuk”. The Two Rivers Gallery is recognized for its commitment to bring to public attention George Sawchuk’s sculpture and manifest the spirit and context in which he works. The Awards Committee also commends the Two Rivers Gallery on travelling the show throughout Western Canada.
- The Organizing Committee – For the BC Field Trip Fair & Website. The Field Trip Fair Committee comprised of members Maggie Kilian, Krista Tulloch, Jamie Purves, and Lisa McIntosh designed, planned, and implemented the first annual Field Trip Fair for teachers in the Lower Mainland in September 2003. This collaborative project is innovative, inspiring teachers to take their students on field trips to heritage sites, nature parks, aquariums, and museums – resources in their own backyard. Thirty-five different museums had booths at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts to display their school programs and have their educators on hand to answer questions. Close to 400 teachers were provided with a guide, listing over 40 sites and their programs. SFU and UBC now plan to include the annual event as part of their pre-service teacher orientation. The burgeoning website at www.bcfieldtrips.ca provides educational opportunities for teachers at sites around BC – a great resource for sites and teachers alike! Resources are kept up to date and as usable as possible in an online searchable database of over 70 organizations. The resource allows educators to research and plan field trips related to specific topics and grades, encouraging visits to a wide range of museum and heritage sites.
- Maritime Museum of BC – For the Virtual Museum of Canada exhibition “Graveyard of the Pacific: Shipwrecks of Vancouver Island”, located at pacificshipwrecks.ca, and coordinating a team and resources that included the Museum at Campbell River, the Maritime Museum of Vancouver and the Underwater Archaeology Society of BC. Zero One Design produced the interactive website that combines evocative graphics with historical footage, artifacts, and information in unique ways to educate the public on BC’s submerged cultural resources. The website is well organized and user friendly – allowing the visitor easy access to the mysteries of shipwrecks of 1868 to 1972 that now lie submerged along Vancouver Island’s legendary notorious coast line. The Maritime Museum of BC is to be commended for increasing public access to its vast and significant collection of archives and artifacts and to those of its partner institutions. This collaborative project demonstrates the creative excellence that can result from partnerships between a regional group of museums and a special interest organization. The virtual exhibition sets a high standard and extends the boundaries of accomplishment for museums seeking to communicate over the web.
2003
- The North Fraser Community Futures Development Corporation – For developing a proposal to manage the operations of the provincially-devolved heritage site, Kilby Historic Store and Farm in Harrison Mills, B.C. NFCF worked with the Fraser Heritage Society to keep the site in local, heritage-based hands by forming a community coalition. The coalition included three local First Nations bands (Scowlitz, Leq’a:mel, and Chehalis), representatives from both municipal governments (District of Kent and Village of Harrison Hot Springs), the Fraser Regional District, historical societies, close neighbours in Harrison Mills, the Fraser Heritage Society, and the NFCF. The coalition members gave aid, input, advice, and expertise for the creation and development of a viable proposal to keep Kilby open and operating as a heritage site.
- The Transition Team – The Transition Team played a key role in the melding of the Royal BC Museum, BC Archives, Helmcken House and the Netherlands Carillon into a new cultural entity, the Royal BC Museum Corporation. The creation of the Royal BC Museum Corporation was facilitated by the active support of the staff-based Transition Team, which provided leadership throughout the process of creating a new reality for how these four archival and museum treasures could be integrated as a new corporation. The Transition Team provided leadership beyond what would ordinarily be required by staff working at their “regular” jobs, resulting in a smooth integration.
2002
- The Kwaday Dän T’Sinchi Management Team – Team members include the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, the Archaeology Planning and Assessment Section of the Province of British Columbia, and the University of Alberta. The Royal British Columbia Museum is also recognized for its remarkable work collaborating on the respectful handling, documentation and research of British Columbia’s “iceman”.
- UBC Museum of Anthropology – “The Respect to Bill Reid Pole” Virtual Exhibit, 2002 was a collaborative project demonstrating the creative excellence that can result from partnerships between a museum, a community, and a business – This virtual exhibit sets a high standard and extends the boundaries of accomplishment for museums seeking to communicate over the web.
- Lesia Davis & the Museum at Campbell River – Recognized for outstanding achievement in promotion, community programming and involvement, and international outreach; dramatic increases in attendance, earned revenue, admissions, and volunteer participation; and a strong and active focus on tourism
2000
- Green Door Society, Duncan – In recognition of exceptional efforts to raise awareness of the importance of heritage within the community of Duncan
1999
- David Stocks – For his efforts to restore the S.S. Sicamous and the tugboat Naramata, Penticton’s heritage. His work demonstrates that passion, countless hours of volunteerism, and personal financial support has resulted in an important piece of heritage being preserved.
- Surrey Art Gallery – For “Like the Mighty Ganges: Life Continues to Flow” exhibition and “Nuclear Terror in the Economy of Scarcity” symposium, 1999. The gallery established a strong link between itself and the Indo-Canadian and Pakistani communities, and stands as a model for future community programming partnerships.
- Royal BC Museum – For the “Leonardo da Vinci: Scientist, Inventor, Artist” exhibition & “Festa Italiana” programming, 1999. The public programming connected communities and citizens with British Columbia’s Italian Canadian heritage.
1998
- Barry Beaulac – Retired from the Curatorial section, Fort Steele, Barry continued with organizing and coordinating Masonic activities at the Masonic Lodge which he was instrumental in restoring. He was key to the research, funding and presentation of the story of the North-West Mounted Police Offers’ Quarters, and secured three performances of the RCMP Musical Ride to coincide with the exhibition opening. Derryll White, Curator, Southern Interior Region writes, “…Barry continues to inspire old and new colleagues with his unbending conviction that we have a unique story to tell, and that we owe it to the coming generations to tell it. He is an ardent Canadian nationalist, a believer and supporter of British Columbia’s heritage in all its aspects, and an inspiring volunteer and sparkplug. At Fort Steele Heritage Town, we believe that Barry is what this award is all about. Great choice, BCMA!” Museums Roundup-No. 209, November-December 1998
- Lorne Pearson – For outstanding achievements as an advocate for the preservation of Surrey’s heritage. Retired as Surrey’s Fire Chief in 1993, Lorne then became a volunteer for the Surrey Archives and helped negotiate the transfer of the Surrey Volunteer Fire Department records dating from the 1920s and City Fire Department records. Lorne conducted oral histories of Surrey fire fighters and photograph identification on two projects and negotiated the transfer of firefighting artifacts to the Surrey Museum.
1997
- Sue Morton
- UBC Museum of Anthropology Production Team – For outstanding innovation and creative achievement for the exhibition, “From Under the Delta”. This exciting exhibition had collaborative elements that brought together a stunning array of artifacts and their interpretation, and featured the special problems and technologies of wet-site archaeology. The exhibition coordinated public programming was accessible and topical, and the design was captivating.
- Fred Pepin
- Karen Jamieson
- Doreen Jensen
- Frank Granzow – Chilliwack High School teacher who introduced Grade 12 students to the world of museum work. Students gained first-hand experience in a broad range of practical and theoretical approaches to museum-related professions.
1995
- Art Sherwin, Doug Nelson, & Jack Rippengale – For pioneer and visionary efforts in preserving naval and coastal defence military history during the 1950s and 1960s in the Greater Victoria area. These three gentlemen exemplify determination and unfailing belief in the importance of preserving our military heritage for a fuller understanding of the historical evolution of our province. Their individual and collective work led to the preservation and initial development of Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site, and establishment of the CFB Esquimalt Base Museum Society and the 5th (BC) Regiment R.C.A. Museum & Archives Society in 1980. Art Sherwin and Doug Nelson were founding members of “Save Fort Rodd Hill Committee” in 1957 and Jack Rippengale became the site’s first Superintendent in the early 1960s.
- Dr. Bernard Lunderg – The Jinwahsing Musical Association
1993
1992
- Ken Harris
- Alice Jeffrey
- Rosa Ho
1989
- Verdun Casselman – For his outstanding contributions toward the preservation and documentation of heritage resources in the east Kootenay region.
- Lillian York – For her dedicated work in documenting the history of the South Peace region (see photo in Number 148, October 1989).
- Gisela Mendel – For her extensive research into the culture of the Haisla people, the natural and pioneer history of the Kitimat area, and for effectively sharing this information through education programming.
- The Ten Founding Members of the UBC Museum of Anthropology Volunteer Associates – For playing a leading role in the development and management of the Volunteer Associates and the achievements of the UBC Museum of Anthropology.
1988
- Mr. J.W.H. (Jack) Fleetwood – For his outstanding contribution to the cultural heritage of the Cowichan Valley.
- Ray Aitken – For his outstanding contribution to the cultural heritage of Chilliwack.
- Edna McPhail – For her outstanding contribution to the cultural heritage of Dawson Creek.
- Derryl White – For his outstanding contribution to the cultural heritage of central British Columbia.
1987
- Frank Merriam – For his outstanding contribution to the preservation of heritage in the Kootenay area.
- Harry Hamilton Burt – For contributing his skills in the operation of steam engines toward a significant aspect of the history of the Prince George area.
- Gladys Blyth – For dedicated perseverance and leadership in saving the North Pacific Cannery and preserving this aspect of West Coast heritage.
- Ruby Nobbs – For her dedicated contribution to the preservation of the heritage of Revelstoke.
1986
- T. B.M. “Slim” & Margaret Fougberg – For their many years of dedicated contribution to the preservation of the history of the Pemberton area.
- Margaret Weir – For her many years of dedicated contribution to the preservation of the history of the Abbotsford area.
- Allan Wood Hunter – For his vision and dedicated effort in the preservation of the history of Fort Steele.
1985
- Judith A. Campbell – For many contributions to preserving and interpreting the history of Wells-Barkerville.
- Garry W. Anderson – For inspirational leadership respecting the architectural and railway history of Cranbrook.
1984
- Edith Kyllo – For a lifetime of service to the Hudson’s Hope Museum of the Peace River area.
- Fred & Mamie Kerby – For extensive service to the heritage resources of the Terrace area of the Skeena River.
- Margaret Lang-Hastings – For many contributions to the Museum and Archives of White Rock.
- Ashcroft Museum – For exhibits as designed by Bob Graham, which combine wit, humour, imagination, and good taste.
1983
- Friends of the BC Provincial Museum, Victoria – For their outstanding work in the support and development of the British Columbia Provincial Museum.
- Roger Terhune – For his dedication in preserving the history of the Rossland area through the development of the Rossland Historical Museum.
- Ron Candy – For his excellent work in the preservation of the history of Barkerville through an active and imaginative conservation program.
- Peter & Naomi Miller – For their dedication in initiating, developing, and operating the Golden & District Museum.
- Beverly Reid – For the outstanding quality of the exhibition Kootenay Crafts ‘81 and its subsequent impact on the artistic community of the Province.