The Red Deer & District Museum Society has announced that Dr. Scott Marsden will be the next Executive Director of the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery.

Dr. Marsden holds a Ph.D. from the Faculty of Education; Art Education at the University of Victoria, an M.F.A. from York University and is an Associate of the OCAD University.  Dr. Marsden brings a wide range of experience in researching, developing and presenting exhibitions that explore community-based art practices, community narratives and multiple dialogues as well as diverse, wide-ranging work experience in utilizing collaborative approaches in working with artists, art galleries and museums across Canada.

“After an extensive search, the Board is excited to be bringing an Executive Director with Dr. Marsden’s experience to the Red Deer MAG”, said Shelley Odishaw, Board President.  "As we are approaching the MAG's 50th anniversary in 2023, we feel that Dr. Marsden is the right person to lead us into a bright future." 

Experience working with diverse cultural groups and artists exploring cultural perspectives is what drew the Board to Dr. Marsden.  Dr. Marsden formerly served as the Executive Director at the Haida Gwaii Museum (Haida Gwaii, BC), the first Curator at The Reach Gallery Museum (Abbotsford, BC) and the Gallery Director/Curator at the Yukon Arts Centre (Whitehorse, YT).  Scott Marsden recently finished a contract with the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (Yellowknife, NT) in the Collections Program and was appointed a Research Associate at Aurora College.

Dr. Marsden has years of volunteer service, professional memberships and service to federal agencies including: founding the Participatory Art and Engagement Specialists, a research and development group focusing on dialogue-based art practices in art galleries and museums; volunteering with the Yellowknife Community Foundation as a Board member; the British Columbia Museum Association as Council Member & Chair of the Awards Committee, Past Chair-Advocacy Committee and Past Co-Chair Conference Programming Committee; and volunteering with the Universities Art Association of Canada as a member of Board of Directors, Chair of the website and strategic planning committees.