If you haven't already heard... the OMA Conference will be held in Ottawa, ON on November 5-7, 2008.

The theme for this year's conference is: "Turning Great Ideas Into Results"

The Conference Program Committee is still looking for a few more great sessions relating to that theme. We know that there are many of you who have been able to turn a great idea into positive results and we'd like to invite you to share your experience with the Ontario museum community at the Annual conference.

The full call for proposal document can be found at the Ontario Museum Association's website at: www.museumsontario.com

Proposals can be submitted in English and French!

We will continue to accept proposals up to Thursday April 3rd, 2008. Proposals can be faxed or e-mailed to the OMA - conference@museumsontario.com or faxed to 416-348-0438

Look for more information in the months to come about the conference!

Don't miss out!

Kathleen Powell
2008 OMA Conference Chairperson

Hello all / Bonjour à tous,

Are you a book reviewer at heart? MUSE magazine is looking for museum people to write reviews on books listed below.

Please contact me if you are interested in writing a review: ngrattan@museums.ca

Indicate your first and second choices, and note that reviewers keep the books. Reviews are welcome in either English or French, are about 300 words, and are due TWO months following receipt of the book.

***

Avez-vous une plume critique ? Le magazine MUSE est à la recherche de muséologues pour rédiger des comptes rendus sur les ouvrages listés ci-dessous.

Contactez-moi afin de me faire part des ouvrages que vous aimeriez recenser : ngrattan@musees.ca

Veuillez indiquer vos premier et deuxième choix. Notez que les critiques conservent les livres. Les comptes rendus peuvent être écrits en français ou en anglais, sont 300 mots de longueur, et la date limite est fixée à DEUX mois suivant la réception du livre.

Naomi Grattan
Director of Communications/Directrice des communications
Canadian Museums Association/Association des musées canadiens
Tel./Tél.: (613) 567-0099 x223; Fax/Téléc.: (613) 233-5438
400-280 rue Metcalfe St., Ottawa ON, K2P 1R7
ngrattan@museums.ca
www.museums.ca

***

Beyond Wilderness: The Group of Seven, Canadian Identity and Contemporary Art. Edited by John O'Brien and Peter White. McGill-Queen's University Press, Montreal QC and Kingston ON. 2007. 390 pp.

Creating Great Visitor Experiences: A Guide for Museums, Parks, Zoos, Gardens and Libraries. Stephanie Weaver. Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek CA. 2007. 207 pp.

In the Company of Friends: Fifty Years of Volunteering at the National Gallery of Canada. Jean Seasons. Volunteers' Circle of the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa ON. 2008. 78 pp.
** Aussi disponible en français sous le titre : Des amis et des arts : Cinquante ans de bénévolat au Musée des beaux-arts du Canada.

Museums After Modernism: Strategies of Engagement. Edited by Griselda Pollock and Joyce Zemans. Blackwell Publishing, Malden MA. 2007. 248 pp.

WIPO Guide on Managing Intellectual Property for Museums. Rina Elster Pantalony. World Intellectual Property Organization, New York NY. 138 pp.

Request for Information - Swift Current Museum 

"76 Ranche Round-up" is an event planned for 2009 in celebration of the history of the ranch in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

If you have photographs, letters or other documents that pertain to any of the 76 ranches, we would appreciate hearing from you.

Please contact: Hugh Henry, Swift Current Museum, h.henry@swiftcurrent.ca ; 778-2775 or 76ranche@gmail.com 295-3673.

Information currently posted on the SaskCulture website regarding the provincial student grant program.  

"Normally SEE applications are due March 1. However, the status of the Student Summer Experience Grant Program is unknown at this time.

In recent communication with the Government of Saskatchewan, representatives have indicated they are not confident the program will continue as previously planned.

If the program continues, notification will be provided following the Provincial Budget. This would mean a much later application and approval process if the program goes forward.

Stay tuned for updates."

www.saskculture.sk.ca/funding/SEE.htm

Hello everyone,

You are invited to visit us in Second Life! Second Life is a web-based multi-user virtual environment which offers a free access 3D interactive platform to users around the world. In partnership with EMAP (Educational Media Access and Production) and other U of S SL users we are developing a virtual extension to the Gordon Snelgrove Gallery to explore unique exhibition and performative program development and diverse artistic inquiry within virtual world environments.

To access Second Life at Gordon Snelgroveou will need the client software installed on your computer or access to a computer with the program installed. You will need to open an account and choose a name for your avatar, that is, your representative in SL. Start up instructions, in-world orientation tips and user support links are available on the SL web site. The client software, called a viewer, is similar to a web browser but requires a fairly robust cpu and video display card. Second Life software (Windows and Mac) and new accounts are available free at http://secondlife.com

If (or when) you have Second Life installed, you can teleport to snelgrove gallery_2 by entering Teaching 6 ( 200 / 100 / 0). You may also enter the following Slurl using your web browser:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Teaching%206/210/100/0/
?img=http%3A//www.usask.ca/snelgrove/sl/slurl_01.jpg

For more information on Second Life development at the U of S download this pdf version of On Campus News

Please feel free to contact me directly (email below) with queries or if you require assistance with start up.

Thanks very much,

Gary

Cultural Organizations are encouraged to submit their events to the Saskatchewan Online Events Guide.

This online database is accessed through the following websites:

• SaskCulture
• Tourism Saskatchewan
• Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association
• Sask Sport Inc.

It is a great way to get your information out to everyone within the
province. Check out what is happening in arts and culture today at
http://www.saskculture.sk.ca/events/eventsearch.asp

Glenn C. Sutter, Ph.D.
Curator of Ornithology & Human Ecology
Life Sciences Division
Biology Department
Royal Saskatchewan Museum
Regina, SK S4P 3V7
ph. (306) 787-2859
fax (306) 787-2645
website: www.royalsaskmuseum.ca