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Haida Gwaii Museum celebrates accomplishments at annual meeting

The Haida Gwaii Museum celebrated its accomplishments over the last year at its annual general meeting in Skidegate on Thursday evening (Sept. 12)."For the Haida Gwaii Museum, 2012 was once again a very exciting and important year," Jennifer Dysart, interim executive director told those attending, "...we feel great pride in the contributions made in research, writing, exhibitions, publications and education to the museum community and beyond..."She also said the museum supported artists through programming, exhibitions, workshops and selling works in the gift shop.In 2012, the museum had three temporary exhibitions, including Ulli Steltzer's photography, one by QC artist Kiki Van der Heiden and the always popular All Islands Art Show. It also completed the installation of an oral history and science exhibition, and collaborated on several projects, including a book about mushrooms.As well, the museum continued its support of the Haida language, through staff training, a Haida songs project and work on a CHN committee.A current financial statement was not available at the meeting, but the museum took in a total of $310,000 in 2012, and spent $225,000 on administration and $75,000 on museum expenses. Its money came from gift shop sales (55 percent), grants (40 percent and donations (5 percent), according to documents available at the meeting.A total of 4,600 people visited the museum, including 500 who attended the several exhibitions the museum held and 200 who attended workshops.The museum has two full time and one part time employees, and two summer students. It says it spent 70 percent of its expenses on Haida Gwaii.Members of the museum board for the coming year are:President-position vacantVice Presidents, Cathy Rigg, Barb WilsonTreasurer-Lindsay GalbraithSecretary-Monique BrownOld Massett reps-two positions vacantMasset-Art Lew, one position vacantPort-Eric O'HigginsTlell-Lucy StefanykSkidegate-Capt. Gold, one position vacantCharlotte-Norm Sloan, Rolf BettnerSandspit-two positions vacantAs well, Lyndale George represents the Skidegate Band Council and Mike Racz the regional district.Those attending the meeting also heard that the search for a new executive director is coming to an end, and the committee in charge of it will make a recommendation to the board by September 24. Three qualified applicants applied, and one will soon be selected. Long-time executive director Nathalie Macfarlane retired last year, and has been replaced by interim director Jennifer Dysart.