Clone of MAS Stickers of Excellence 2024

MAS Stickers of Excellence

Standards based recognition of achievement in Saskatchewan museums
Anticipated Deadline: December 15th, 2026

Direct any questions to:

Amber Hanover, Community Engagement Lead
community@saskmuseums.org
306-780-9451

OR

Sarah Durham, Museums Advisor
advisor@saskmuseums.org
306-780-9266

Guidelines:

Please see the full guidelines here, including evaluation metrics and examples of evidence and support material.

Applications will be adjudicated by MAS staff against the evaluation criteria and support material submitted. Evidence for evaluation must be attached to the online form; these attachments can include documents, video, photos, social media, direct links to websites, or any other documentation that supports the criteria.

Each area of evaluation must be submitted as a seperate form. You may apply for one or more areas of evaluation as you feel your organization meets.

Applicants will be notified by MAS via email once the application(s) has been processed.
Applicant Institution/Affiliation:
Contact Name:
Contact Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number
Contact Mailing Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityProvince

Postal Code
Contact Email
example@example.com
INSTITUTION PROFILE
Institution Name
Institution Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number
Institution Mailing Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityProvince

Postal Code
Institution Email
example@example.com
Institution Website:
https://saskmuseums.org/
Institution Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/saskmuseums
Other:
https://www.instagram.com/saskmuseums/
Is the museum open all year round?
Please upload Institution Mission/Mandate Statement:

Browse Files

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If the Mandate/Mission Statement is not available in a separate document convenient for uploading above, please use the text field below to type out or include the URL where it can be found on your website.
Areas of Evaluation:

Please select one area of evaluation from the drop down menu below, click "next" and you will be redirected to the application form.
- Reconciliation
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Management
- Collections: Collections Management
- Collections: Conservation and Storage
- Collections: Research
- Communication: Exhibits
- Communication: Programs
If you would like to submit applications for multiple areas of evaluation you must start a new application form.

The guidelines for each area of evaluation can be found here.
Area of Evaluation:

Reconciliation
Museums must understand their role and obligations when it comes to reconciliation. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) defines reconciliation as an ongoing process of establishing and maintaining respectful relationships. A critical part of this process involves repairing damaged trust by making apologies, providing individual and collective reparations, and following through with concrete actions that demonstrate real societal change.

Please refer to the Reconciliation section of the guidelines for evaluation criteria, here.

Evaluation metrics: Grading scale

1(Poor) - 5(Excellent) for each point of evaluation (5):
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP):

1. The museum has formally adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as its framework for reconciliation:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Land Acknowledgments:

2. The museum has an official Land Acknowledgments which is used in all their formal communications:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Exhibits:

3. The museums has dedicated exhibition space (permanent, temporary) for telling the full range of Indigenous stories and histories from pre-contact to present day (including residential school systems), which were developed (or revised) with Indigenous involvement and consent:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Programming:

4. The museum has Indigenous programming dedicated to Indigenous content, which has been created and is delivered with Indigenous involvement and consent (“Nothing about us without us”):

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Indigenous Involvement:

5. The museum actively encourages and supports the involvement of Indigenous people in museum activities and operations:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Examples of evaluation include:
- Video walk-through of exhibitions;
- Thorough writeup of exhibitions;
- Breakdown of the percentage of exhibition space dedicated, permanent and/or temporary;
- Letters of support;
- Testimonials;
- Policies and Bylaws;
- Contracts
Please upload your files here:

Browse Files

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Please use the below text field to copy URLs that may be relevant to the evaluation (e.g., YouTube artist talks about exhibitions, Policies on the museum's website, etc.)
Thank you for your application.

You should receive an acknowledgement by email for your application. If you do not receive an auto reply, please contact community@saskmuseums.org or advisor@saskmuseums.org to confirm your application has been received.

A decision will be made by an adjudication jury, and you will be notified if your application was successful.

Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion are two interconnected concepts—but they are far from interchangeable. Diversity is about representation or the make-up of an entity. Inclusion is about how well the contributions, presence and perspectives of different groups of people are valued and integrated into an environment. (Matt Bush, "Why Is Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace important," 02 December 2022)

Please refer to the Diversity and Inclusion section of the guidelines for evaluation criteria, here.

Evaluation metrics: Grading scale

1(Poor) - 5(Excellent) for each point of evaluation (5):
Inclusion, Diveristy, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Statement(s):

1. The museum has a formal statement outlining its commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA):

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Adopted MAS Safer Spaces Statement:

2. The museum strives at all times to be a safe space for all personnel and visitors:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Community Relevance:

3. The Museum is a welcoming space for the diversity of the community the museum serves:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Accessibility:

4. The museum contributes to community development and is committed to providing equal access for all to the programs and services offered:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Representation:

5. The museum actively encourages and supports the involvement of diverse communities in museum activities and operations:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Examples of evaluation include:
- Video or photographs of building(s) and exhibition spaces;
- Policies and Equity Statements;
- Testimonials;
- Letters of support;
- Contracts of partnerships;
- Staff and Board list
Please upload your files here:

Browse Files

Cancelof
Please use the below text field to copy URLs that may be relevant to the evaluation (e.g., YouTube artist talks about exhibitions, Board Member bios on the museum's website, etc.)
Thank you for your application.

You should receive an acknowledgement by email for your application. If you do not receive an auto reply, please contact community@saskmuseums.org or advisor@saskmuseums.org to confirm your application has been received.

A decision will be made by an adjudication jury, and you will be notified if your application was successful.

Management
A key role of managment is assisting the museum, regardless of its size or organizational structure, in achieving consistent results so the museum's mission can be articulated and fulfilled.

Effective museum management is a responsibility that embraces all the resources and activities of the museum and involves all the staff and volunteers. It is a necessary element in the development and advancement of a museum.

Management encompasses General Museum Management, Financial Management, Human Resources Management, and Risk Management. Each practice supports the museum's mission statement and its sustainability.

Please refer to the Management section of the guidelines for evaluation criteria, here.

Evaluation metrics: Grading scale

1(Poor) - 5(Excellent) for each point of evaluation (10):
Museum Management:

1. The museum operates from formal, written policies and procedures that cover its management responsibilities, programs, services, and reflect its Statement of Purpose:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

2. Transparency, public communication, and community awareness:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Financial Management:

3. The museum uses sound financial management, reporting practices, and procedures:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Human Resources:

4. The museum has diverse representation on the Board, staff, and volunteers:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

5. The museum actively encourages and supports the involvement of diverse communities in museum activities and operations:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

6. Job descriptions exist for all volunteer positions, and they receive appropriate training:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

7. Professional development opportunities are made available for both paid and volunteer staff:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Risk Management:

8. The museum has a written emergency management plan based on risk assessment, prevention and mitigation, response, and business resumption:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

9. The museum has suitable policies mitigating risks commonly associated with collections storage:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

10. The museum maintains a fire prevention and general security manual which outlines regular security inspections and daily opening and closing routines:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Examples of evaluation include:
- Video or photographs of building(s) and exhibition spaces;
- Policies and Equity Statements;
- Mission Statement;
- Financial statements, Annual Report;
- Job Descriptions;
- Fundraising initiatives;
- Professional Development attendance, certificates of completion;
Please upload your files here:

Browse Files

Cancelof
Please use the below text field to copy URLs that may be relevant to the evaluation (e.g., links to Policies and Annual Report on the museum's website, etc.)
Thank you for your application.

You should receive an acknowledgement by email for your application. If you do not receive an auto reply, please contact community@saskmuseums.org or advisor@saskmuseums.org to confirm your application has been received.

A decision will be made by an adjudication jury, and you will be notified if your application was successful.

Collections: Collections Management
Museums fulfil obligations of public trust in collections management by preserving their collections. This includes: documentation, acquisition and accession, loans, cataloguing, location control, and de-accession and disposal, etc. These policies, including repatriation policies, should be made available for community access.

Please refer to the Collections Management section of the guidelines for evaluation criteria, here.

Evaluation metrics: Grading scale

1(Poor) - 5(Excellent) for each point of evaluation (5):
Collections Mandate:

1. The museum has and adheres to their Collections Mandate which defines the purpose and prescribing limits and use of its collection;

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Collections Management Policy:

2. The museum has a Collections Management Policy, and it is conducted in compliance with all relevant provincial and federal legislation, relevant standards, and generally accepted professional procedures:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Collections Management System (digital/paper):

3. The museum records information about artefacts, providing a complete history of the artefact including its provenance, conservation treatment, loan, use in exhibition or scientific sampling, and publication:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Transparency, Public Communication, and Community Awareness:

4. The museum has an obligation, through the development and implementation of policies and procedures, to the legal and ethical acquisition, documentation, and disposition of material by the museums:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Relationship with Originating Communities:

5. The museum is committed to involve and consult originating communities and religious representatives in the documentation and preservation of their heritage held in trust by the museum, ensuring proper care and use:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Examples of evaluation include:
- Collections Management Policy (Acquisition, Loan, De-accession/Disposal, Repatriation/Rematriation, etc);
- Collections Mandate/Collections Strategy;
- Collections assessment;
- Inventory;
- Care and Handling Policy (eg.traditional knowledge, spiritual care, etc.);
- Acquisition paperwork and/or provenance questionnaire;
- Minutes noting policy updates and/or revisions;
- Temporary receipts, object exit forms, loan paperwork, de-accession forms;
- Condition report forms;
- Cataloguing worksheet;
- Policies publicly available (website, notice to contact for more information, etc.)
Please upload your files here:

Browse Files

Cancelof
Please use the below text field to copy URLs that may be relevant to the evaluation (e.g., links to Policies on the museum's website, public notices of collections activities, etc.)
Thank you for your application.

You should receive an acknowledgement by email for your application. If you do not receive an auto reply, please contact community@saskmuseums.org or advisor@saskmuseums.org to confirm your application has been received.

A decision will be made by an adjudication jury, and you will be notified if your application was successful.

Collections: Conservation and Storage
Conservation strives to prevent or minimize the effects of the agents of deterioration that can affect collections during handling, research, exhibit, and storage.

Preventative conservation is achieved through policies, procedures and guidelines that help to implement acceptable standards for all aspects of collections care. This includes storage, handling, exhibit, access, environmental conditions, transportation, interpretation, pest control, disaster management and security.

Please refer to the Conservation and Storage section of the guidelines for evaluation criteria, here.

Evaluation metrics: Grading scale

1(Poor) - 5(Excellent) for each point of evaluation (5):
Exhibition and Storage Environment:

1. The museum ensures it follows established guidelines and standards to maintain appropriate environmental conditions and conservation for the artefacts in its collections:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Collections Storage Security:

2. The museum’s buildings and collections are secured at all times from theft, vandalism, arson, and other forms of destruction:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Considerations for Culturally Sensitive and Sacred Belongings:

3. The museum has considerations for culturally sensitive and sacred belongings held in its care:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Organization and Management:

4. The museum has properly planned and organized of a dedicated collections storage area:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Seasonally Operated Considerations:
(if answered "yes" to open year round in profile, please select 1 as N/A)

5. The museum has established procedures in place to ensure the security and longevity of collections:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Examples of evaluation include:
- Collections and Storage policies
- Video or photographs of building(s),storage, and exhibition spaces;
- HOBO printouts, photos of dehumidifiers, monitors, equipment related to environmental monitoring
- Policies surrounding access, ceremony, and general care and storage of Indigenous materials;
- Protocols outlining restricted and authorized access to collection storage area;
- Procedure and training documents;
- Communication, MOU’s, letters of support;
- Location mapping evidence;
- Opening and closing procedures
Please upload your files here:

Browse Files

Cancelof
Please use the below text field to copy URLs that may be relevant to the evaluation (e.g., links to relevant Policies on the museum's website, public notices of collections activities, etc.)
Thank you for your application.

You should receive an acknowledgement by email for your application. If you do not receive an auto reply, please contact community@saskmuseums.org or advisor@saskmuseums.org to confirm your application has been received.

A decision will be made by an adjudication jury, and you will be notified if your application was successful.

Collections: Research
As public institutions, museums have a responsibility to create and advance knowledge and understanding about their collections. Equally important is ensuring this knowledge is made available to the communities the museum serves.

Research activities can be undertaken by museum staff and volunteers as well as outside researchers. Regardless of how it is conducted, research must be grounded in best practices and adhere to ethical guidelines.

Please refer to the Research section of the guidelines for evaluation criteria, here.

Evaluation metrics: Grading scale

1(Poor) - 5(Excellent) for each point of evaluation (4):
Research Policy:

1. The museum has a written Research Policy, and adheres to established code of ethics to guide the conduct and practices of researchers:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Oral History and Fieldwork Policy:

2. The museum has an Oral History and Fieldwork Policy or oral history and fieldwork activities are included in the museum’s Research Policy:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Collections Research:

3. The museum's research is grounded in best practices and adheres to ethical guidelines as well as appropriate handling standards for artefacts in the collection:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Community Access for Research:

4. The museum makes considerations in policy for external researchers accessing collections and materials (e.g, visiting academics, community genealogical research, etc):

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Examples of evaluation include:
- Policies;
- Publications (academic journals, newspaper articles, blogs, podcasts, youtube videos, interviews with artists, documentaries, etc.);
- Exhibition catalogues;
- Curatorial essays;
- Community programs (lecture series, workshops, demonstrations, etc)
- Exhibitions (interpretive panels, timelines, etc)
Please upload your files here:

Browse Files

Cancelof
Please use the below text field to copy URLs that may be relevant to the evaluation (e.g., links to relevant Policies on the museum's website, public notices of collections, activities, etc.)
Thank you for your application.

You should receive an acknowledgement by email for your application. If you do not receive an auto reply, please contact community@saskmuseums.org or advisor@saskmuseums.org to confirm your application has been received.

A decision will be made by an adjudication jury, and you will be notified if your application was successful.

Communication: Exhibits
Exhibits are a fundamental feature of a museum, and the museum’s main communication tool with its audience. When developing exhibits, considerations should include current and new approaches to exhibit design, and incorporate a variety of learning approaches. Exhibition themes should incorporate multiple perspectives and address the issues and interests of the community.

Please refer to the Exhibits section of the guidelines for evaluation criteria, here.

Evaluation metrics: Grading scale

1(Poor) - 5(Excellent) for each point of evaluation (4):
Accessibility:

1. The museum is committed to providing equal access for all to the programs, exhibitions, and services offered:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Interpretation:

2. The museum ensures that every exhibit communicates clear messages and provides information in a respectful manner:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Reconciliation:

3. The museum ensures the full participation of Indigenous people in the planning, development, and production of exhibitions about Indigenous belongings, stories, and culture:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Community Relevance:

4. The museum’s exhibitions incorporate multiple perspectives and address the issues and interests of the community, clients, and stakeholders:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Examples of evaluation include:
- Exhibition Policy;
- Website links to virtual exhibitions, including links to any apps used onsite;
- Video or photographs (e.g. exhibition spaces, interpretive panels, etc);
- Curatorial essays;
- Land Acknowledgments;
- Percentage of dedicated exhibition space for Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+,
- Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, and Newcomers;
- Community support documents;
- Diverse communication approaches (text, audio, interactives, audio guides, etc.)
- Percentage of permanent vs temporary exhibition space
Please upload your files here:

Browse Files

Cancelof
Please use the below text field to copy URLs that may be relevant to the evaluation (e.g., links to Policies on the museum's website, etc.)
Thank you for your application.

You should receive an acknowledgement by email for your application. If you do not receive an auto reply, please contact community@saskmuseums.org or advisor@saskmuseums.org to confirm your application has been received.

A decision will be made by an adjudication jury, and you will be notified if your application was successful.

Communication: Programs
Public programs reflect the museum’s mission and mandate and are expressed through a wide range of activities. They involve the community in museum activities and provide opportunities to share information and create meaning.

Public programming should be educational and engaging. It provides opportunities for the sharing of information. Public programming can also extend outside of the museum’s walls. It can include being part of community sponsored activities (such as parades or festivals), citizen science activities (such as public bird counts or school groups collecting data from their community), in-class school workshops (where museum personnel go to schools to deliver programming), and activities lead by the museum (such as nature or historical walks of the area).

Please refer to the Programs section of the guidelines for evaluation criteria, here.

Evaluation metrics: Grading scale

1(Poor) - 5(Excellent) for each point of evaluation (5):
Programming Policy:

1. The museum has Public Programming Policy:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Variety of Delivery Formats:

2. The museum ensures public access to its programs through the development, implementation, and evaluation of a variety of programming options that address the needs of different audiences and learning styles:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Diversity of Target Audience:

3. The museum ensures that programming includes a commitment to reflect the diversity of the community it serves:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA)/ Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI):

4. The museum is sensitive to issues related to traditional knowledge, diverse belief systems, cultural experiences, and appropriation:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Supports Exhibitions and Missions Statements:

5. All public programming reflects the museum’s mission and mandate:

	1	2	3	4	5

1 is Poor, 5 is Excellent

Examples of evaluation include:
- Program Policy;
- Samples of programs run in past year (online, in-person, onsite, offsite, etc.);
- Links to website, social media posts, downloadable resources;
- Clear statement on audience these programs serve;
- Overview and outcomes of courses proposed/offered;
- MOUs/Letters of Support from partner organisations/community groups;
- Evaluations;
Please upload your files here:

Browse Files

Cancelof
Please use the below text field to copy URLs that may be relevant to the evaluation (e.g., links to relevant Policies, programming resources, etc.)
Thank you for your application.

You should receive an acknowledgement by email for your applilcation. If you do not receive an auto reply, please contact community@saskmuseums.org or advisor@saskmuseums.org to confirm your application has been received.

A decision will be made by an adjudication jury, and you will be notified if your application was successful.
Should be Empty:

MAS Stickers of Excellence

INSTITUTION PROFILE

Areas of Evaluation:

Reconciliation

Diversity and Inclusion

Management

Collections: Collections Management

Collections: Conservation and Storage

Collections: Research

Communication: Exhibits

Communication: Programs