On September 17, at the Alberta Museums Association (AMA) annual conference, the Galt Museum & Archives | Akaisamitohkanao’pa was presented with the 2022 Robert R. Janes Award for Social Responsibility. This award was created to support and further the work of museums that are solving community issues and promoting health and wellbeing.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by our peers with this prestigious award,” notes CEO and Executive Director Darrin Martens. “It validates the work our team has been undertaking for many years and provides us with an opportunity to build on those foundations. We are working hard to create a better community where all feel welcomed, engaged and have the chance to contribute and be acknowledged. Being a socially responsible organization is critical to our success.”

The awards committee saw the work of the Galt Museum as community-centred and change making—an excellent example of meaningful social responsibility made possible through building relationships with community partners.

The committee also recognized the Galt’s multi-layered approach to public programming with community partners including long-lasting relationships with Treaty 7 Nations and the Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3. The recent Blackfoot name gifted to the institution, along with the success of the museum’s cooperative approach to curating Indigenous-led initiatives and projects were also credited as being stand-out accomplishments.

Along with this provincial recognition comes a $3,000 contribution to the museum aimed at supporting programs that affect social and environmental change and have the potential to create public benefit on a larger scale. The award was made possible through an initial donation from Dr. Robert Janes.

In the spring of 2023 the Galt Museum will use the award funding to host a workshop focused on building sustainable, diverse and inclusive community partnerships, sharing their learnings and success with other organizations. Details will be announced in January 2023.  

For more information on the Robert R. Janes Award, visit: https://www.museums.ab.ca/what-we-do/awards/robert-r-janes-award-for-social-responsibility.aspx.