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Communications Committee Report
Submitted by Kirsten Olson
2003-2004 was a busy year for the Communications Committee. In addition to its regular events, new initiatives were undertaken relating to publicity for the Archives Network of Alberta.
Archives Week
Archives Week 2003 coincided with the official opening of the new Provincial Archives building. The ASA held an evening event that included dinner, a building tours and a speech by Fraser Brinsmead of Brinsmead Ziola Associates, the architect of the new building. The evening event concluded with Dr. Sandra Thomson being presented with a plaque from the ASA to recognize and honour her many contributions to the archival community and for her efforts in preserving Alberta's documentary heritage.
The virtual exhibit theme for 2003 was If these Walls Could Talk: Celebrating Alberta's built Heritage. The exhibit featured a record number of submissions from the ASA's institutional members. With a blueprint as its backdrop, the exhibit featured a variety of demolished, imagined and existing buildings throughout Alberta. Chris Heazell of the Glenbow Archives once again designed the attractive and interactive exhibit. The 2004 virtual exhibit will focus on women's contributions in Alberta's history.
Membership Statistics
The ASA's membership numbers continue to increase. New membership for the year 2003/2004 includes 16 individual members, 2 institutional members and 1 associate institutional member. In total, the Archives Society of Alberta has 102 individual members, 33 institutional members and 18 associate institutional members.
Publicity for Archives Network of Alberta
As the ASA enters its last year of Centennial Legacies funding, the Communications Committee has begun to publicize the Archives Network of Alberta and its databases. Ads will appear over the next few issues of Legacy Magazine to promote the databases and acknowledge granting agencies. Institutional members who contributed images to Alberta InSight have received promotional bookmarks to distribute. On June 12, the ASA will hold an official launch to introduce the Archives Network of Alberta to the media, featuring the Minister of Community Development, the Hon. Gene Zwozdesky.
The Communications Committee continues to work with other committees and members on public awareness/promotion and advocacy projects. The committee looks forward to a new and exciting year in 2004.
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