Location
44 Robert St. W.
Swift Current, SK
S9H 4M9
Office Hours
(306) 778-2775
Monday to Friday, 8 am - 5 pm
(Closed statutory and civic holidays)
Public Viewing Hours
Year-round:
Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm
June - August:
Also Saturday and Sunday, 1pm - 5pm
Free admission.
Current Exhibition:
Memories of My Mother: A Collection of Hooked Art
July 7 to September 3
This beautiful collection of handmade hooked rugs comes from all across Canada.
Each detailed and intricate piece tells the story of the artists' own relationship
with their mother.
Rug hooking is fundamentally a low-tech art form, with results that are eye-catching
and highly creative. This exhibit will leave you appreciating this age-old art in a
whole new way.
From the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre
Upcoming Exhibitions:
Hands On Nature
September 9 to October 29
Biodiversity, habitats, food webs, gene pools and other cool stuff,
like skulls and spiders.
Exhibit courtesy of Royal Ontario Museum
The Vikings: Master Mariners, Traders, Colonists and Artisans
November 3 to December 31
This exhibit provides a look at Vikings, the master mariners, and their activity as
traders, colonists and artisans. Exhibition produced by The Manitoba Museum.
Artists – Request for Proposal
Invitation
The City of Swift Current (client) invites visual artists to submit proposals for
the production and installation of an artwork at the Swift Current Museum.
The project has a budget of $25,000., and is to be completed in 2011.
Size and Scope
The work is to cover, or incorporate into the visual field, an existing exterior
brick wall measuring 15.5 ft. long x 9 ft. high. (There is a 6 ft. wide soffit
above, with lights.) The artwork is to have a low relief, approximate maximum
of 8 inches from the brick surface, so as not to impede or endanger foot traffic
on the sidewalk in front of the artwork. Any combination of media are acceptable
so long as they are deemed durable and do not pose a safety risk. The brick wall,
and or the existing overhead metal framework, is to be used to anchor the artwork.
Theme
There are no defined parameters for the visual content of the work. However, the
main exhibits gallery of the Museum reflects - connections between human activities
and the natural environment and resources of southwest Saskatchewan, past and present.
Preference may be given to imagery that reflects aspects of that concept.
Further insights may be obtained from the client contact.
Budget
The project budget of $25,000. is to cover all aspects of the design, production
and installation of the artwork by the artist(s), as well as artist consultations
with the client contact and site visits, as may be required. A
ll expenses incurred by the artist(s) in preparing their submission for
consideration by the client, are the sole responsibility of the artist.
Proposal
Submissions must include:
-a visual draft of the proposed work within the surface parameters noted
-materials proposed to be used, for both the artwork and installation (It is expected
that artists will produce the artwork / components in their studio and install on
site.)
-a proposed 2011 timeline for design, production and installation of the artwork
-artist(s) CV (including visuals of previous work reflective of size and materials
to be used)
Proposal must be received by the client contact on or before October 16, 2010 at 5 p.m.
Mailed submissions are preferred; other options may be accepted, with prior approval.
Client Contact
Hugh Henry, Director
Swift Current Museum
44 Robert St. W.
Swift Current, S9H 4M9
ph. 778-4811 fx. 778-4818 h.henry@swiftcurrent.ca
Images re: RFP
Permanent Gallery
The gallery examines the relationship between humans and the environment
of southwest Saskatchewan.
Both historic and contemporary examples are provided.
Aboriginal people used the natural Bison - the primary food source for Plains
resources of the Prairies for clothing people prior to the 1800s.
and tools.
A soddie - some early settlers had to use Scientists produced crop varieties
the materials at hand for shelter and heat. that were better suited for the climate
and soil conditions, and to combat
plant diseases and insect pests.
School Tours:
Tour of the permanent exhibit:
The permanent exhibit explores the relationship between people and the land;
how human activity has impacted the environment from 9,000 years ago until the present
day. Grassland creatures and their habitats, as well as human activity (First Nations,
fur traders, Métis, ranchers and homesteaders) are explored. Contemporary issues
(sustainable agriculture and energy, biodiversity and endangered species, and water issues)
are also examined, providing visitors with an understanding of the ever changing
circumstances of the region.
Tours can focus on specific areas (i.e. habitat, endangered species, First Nations and
Métis, homesteading). All tours are accompanied by a related activity.
Upcoming temporary exhibits:
Creatures of Saskatchewan Ancient Seas (Royal SK Museum) May 5 to July 4, 2010
This exhibition features a replica of a 30 foot mosasaur fossil found on the shore of
Lake Diefenbaker. Mosasaurs were ancient marine creatures that inhabited the ancient
seas that once covered this region. Students will learn about Saskatchewan’s
early days as an inland sea, and about the creatures that lived there.
Activity: Contemporary Creatures of the Creek: Students will have the opportunity to
examine and identify live creatures from Swift Current Creek.
Hands On nature (Royal Ontario Museum) September 9 to October 29, 2010
This exhibition features biodiversity, habitats, food webs, gene pools and other cool stuff,
like skulls and spiders! Activity included.
The Vikings (Manitoba Museum) November 3 to December 31, 2010
This exhibit provides a look at Vikings, the master mariners, and their activity as
traders, colonists and artisans. Activity included.
In the Classroom (city schools):
The Resistance of 1885: a PowerPoint presentation
In recognition of the 125th anniversary of the 1885 Resistance, the Museum has
created a presentation about the crisis which arose because Métis and First Nations
groups felt that their rights were not respected by the Dominion government.
All points of view are explored in this presentation, and Swift Current’s
little-known role is discussed.
Raptors:
Have some mounted owls visit your classroom and learn about their unique adaptations.
World War One:
Explores the causes of the “great war”, and the ramifications of newly developed
weapons of the period. Includes a focus on Passchendaele and Vimy Ridge,
and how these battles affected Canadians.
Other Opportunities:
Tour of Mount Pleasant cemetery:
“Meet” some of the earliest pioneers and learn about the contributions they made to
the district, and learn about Victorian cemetery tradition and symbols.
Tour of veterans’ cemetery:
Mount Pleasant Cemetery has veterans from almost every conflict in which Canadians
were engaged, from the Fenian Raids and the Boer War to the Korean War. Learn
about some of their contributions and the roles they played while in action, and
learn about the veterans who were killed in action at Swift Current.
Ideal for Remembrance Day (if dressed for the weather), but fascinating any time of the year.
Atlatl workshop (High School):
Students will learn about First Nations of the region, including hunting traditions and
weapons. They will manufacture their own atlatl (spear thrower), learn how to use it,
and experience the thrill of the hunt!
Archaeological “Dig” (Middle School):
Learn about how archaeologists interpret artifacts by taking part in a ‘dig’ of your own.
Settler Survival (Middle School):
An engaging game that allows students to get a sense of what life was like for
homesteaders of the region, as they try to survive their first year on the farm.
For more information on these or other tour opportunities, call Stephanie 778-4812
Public Programming
Public programs are presented throughout the year. These include exhibit
openings, slide presentations, and children's
activities.
Volunteers
Volunteers are invited to help with various tasks at the museum including
research, public programs or taking care of the collections. Training
is provided and hours are flexible.
Loans
Objects from the Museum collection may be borrowed by individuals,
institutions and businesses for display or events.
Research Library
The Museum has a variety of books and newspapers for researching local
and regional history. Publications like Folklore, Facade and Saskatchewan
History can also be read.
Gift Shop
The museum has a small gift shop - great for picking up a local
souvenir or book.
Contact
Hugh Henry, Director
Swift Current
Museum
44 Robert St. W. Swift Current, S9H 4M9
phone: (306)
778-2775
fax: (306) 778-4818
email: h.henry@swiftcurrent.ca
