The City’s Grande Prairie Museum has partnered with the Boreal Wetland Centre, Philip, J. Currie Dinosaur Museum, the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie (AGGP) and Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre to celebrate International Museum Day (IMD) on Saturday, May 17.

Each museum has free admission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offers the following:

• Free shuttle service between locations between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• Special feature exhibits or activities.
• Event passport with a museum prize basket valued at $250 for a randomly selected winner.
• Free cookies, while supplies last.

“We are excited to host the seventh annual International Museum Day alongside our valuable partners,” said City of Grande Prairie Mayor, Jackie Clayton. “Museums are vital spaces where curiosity is sparked, knowledge is shared, and our stories are preserved. We invite everyone to celebrate with us by exploring the different exhibits and experiences offered by our local facilities."

“Come embark on a journey of knowledge and discovery this International Museum Day,” said Charles Taws, Grande Prairie Museum curator. “We invite everyone to celebrate the richness of our cultural heritage and learn something new when you visit the participating facilities.”

"There's plenty to explore at the Boreal Wetland Centre," says Ducks Unlimited Canada's Rick Murray. "Whether it be information about wetlands we have in the region, opportunities to participate in citizen science experiments, or learning about ongoing research, it's a great opportunity for the community to learn more."

“The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum is happy to participate in International Museum Day,” said Linden Roberts, Executive Director at the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum. “As the hub for paleontology research in the region, we invite everyone to come out and experience the museum.”

“International Museum Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate how creativity and culture shape our communities,” said the AGGP’s Garry Bradley. “We invite everyone to explore our exhibitions, connect with local and national artists, and experience the inspiring role visual art plays in lifelong learning and dialogue.”

“This year, we celebrate the power of museums to preserve history, honour service, and share the stories that shape our region.” said Renee Charbonneau, Collections Manager at Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre. “Our work preserves regional military history and honours those who served, with diverse perspectives all in one place.”

Exhibits and Activities

Each location has exhibits and activities for the community to enjoy during IMD.

• The Grande Prairie Museum marks Alberta’s 120th anniversary with 120 Years of Alberta: Strong and Free, featuring Indigenous and pioneer artefacts, fun facts, and hands-on heritage activities, like ham radio demos. The Heritage Village also opens for the season.
• The Boreal Wetland Centre invites visitors to explore scenic trails, join guided tours, and discover the unique biodiversity of local wetlands in its open-air museum. Visitors are reminded to bring weather appropriate clothing and footwear for unpaved walking trails.
• The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum invites the public to experience International Museums Day with galleries, fossil touch table, community booths, or grab a bite to eat at the cafe, play at the playground, and build a dinosaur foam puzzle in the classroom!
• At the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie, features A Second Horizon and Reconnect, with drop-in art activities for all ages inspired by the exhibitions. All materials are provided—come enjoy a day of creativity and connection through art.
• Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre presents Women of War: Trailblazers of Service, highlighting the stories of over 40 regional women who served and showcasing diverse contributions to Canada’s military history.

For more information, and how to win the prize, visit cityofgp.com/events.

Background

IMD is an annual event organized by the International Council of Museums (ICOM). The event aims to raise awareness of the importance museums have in promoting cultural connections, understanding and community. ICOM chose the theme The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities, focusing on how museums can navigate and contribute to a world undergoing profound social, technological, and environmental shifts.