Dinosaur museum gains status of Museum Leader

Staff at the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum stop for a photo with the plaque indicating the museum is a Alberta Museums Association (AMA) Recognized Museum Leader at the museum in Wembley, Alta. on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. The museum is the first museum in the region to recieve the recognition and joins Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Art Gallery of Alberta, Air Force Museums of Alberta, and the Heritage Park Historical Village with the designation. (Photo by Jesse Boily)

The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum has been recognized as a Museum Leader by the Alberta Museums Association.

For a museum to obtain the Leader designation they must provide an additional eight pieces of evidence on top of the 10 required for recognized museum status, which can include items such as a Code of Ethics, Conservation Policy, and Research Plans.

“What it shows is that we are operating at a high level,” said Linden Roberts, PJCDM executive director.

Linden Roberts, Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum executive director at the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum looks over the new plaque at the entrance of the museum. The museum is a Alberta Museums Association (AMA) Recognized Museum Leader. (Photo by Jesse Boily)

She said the museum is the first in the region to hold the designation.

“This took a lot of work from the staff; it’s about policies and procedures, but to do it means that the staff have to be on board with the way they operate.”

Nicolas Beausoleil, PJCDM administrative assistant, said the process has been ongoing behind the scenes at the museum since November 2024 to refine and review current policies and procedures.

“We didn’t just meet the minimum requirements, we actually excel beyond that,” he said.

“I hope it means that the community and other museums around us can look to us as an example of excellent procedure and policy writing, for putting together long-term plans for your museum.”

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Jesse is a photographer and co-founder of The Article. When Jesse isn't out taking photos, or talking photos, you can probably find him at the local cinema or at home watching movies. See what Jesse is watching at https://boxd.it/zi39 .