The City of Prince Albert and the Mann Art Gallery are joining forces on a new pilot education partnership aimed at expanding community access to arts programming and strengthening the city’s cultural infrastructure. The one-year initiative, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) effective September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026, seeks to make better use of existing facilities while enhancing opportunities for creative learning.
Under the agreement, the two organizations will collaborate to deliver educational and artistic programs that draw on the unique strengths of both the Mann Art Gallery (MAG) and the Margo Fournier Arts Centre (MFAC). The initiative builds on years of informal cooperation between the two entities and marks the first formal step toward a more integrated approach to arts education in Prince Albert.
Strengthening an Established Partnership
The partnership is designed to address practical challenges while broadening public access to the arts. The Mann Art Gallery has faced space constraints for its education staff and programming, while the Margo Fournier Arts Centre — a key community facility — has sought to increase its daytime activity and use of specialized art spaces. By coordinating efforts, both organizations aim to better serve local artists, students, and community members.
“This is a terrific way for community arts facilities and organizations to work together to maximize space and resources,” said Judy MacLeod Campbell, Arts and Culture Manager, City of Prince Albert. “It frees up limited space at the Mann Art Gallery while enhancing the daytime use of specialized arts equipment at the Margo Fournier Arts Centre.”
Under the new arrangement, the Mann Art Gallery’s Manager of Education Programs (MOEP) will be based at the Margo Fournier Arts Centre on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Beginning in December 2025, the public will have access to registered and drop-in programming every Wednesday. The schedule will also include school and group bookings, with offerings focused on hand-building pottery, screen printing, textiles, and hands-on art history. On Thursdays and Fridays, the MOEP will work from the Mann Art Gallery, maintaining flexibility for programming and collaboration.
Goals and Community Impact
The MOU outlines several goals, including addressing the gallery’s limited workspace for preparatory work and meetings, and providing a secure, private office for the education manager. The agreement also aims to boost use of the Margo Fournier Arts Centre’s community assets — including the Groups & Guilds, Pottery Studio, and John V. Hicks Gallery — through a richer slate of daytime arts activities.
Importantly, the partnership will not affect current staffing levels. The MOEP will remain an employee of the Mann Art Gallery under its existing reporting structure, ensuring continuity of operations for both organizations.
For Jesse Campbell, Artistic Director at the Mann Art Gallery, the initiative represents a natural evolution of a longstanding relationship between the two institutions.
“We are pleased to enter into a pilot partnership to provide increased access to professional arts education in Prince Albert. Given the shared history between the Mann Art Gallery and the Margo Fournier Arts Centre, with the MAG having operated at the Arts Centre prior to moving to the E.A. Rawlinson Centre in 2003, it is fitting that we combine our resources for the benefit of both organizations and the broader community,” said Campbell.
A Model for Collaboration
City officials say the partnership could serve as a model for how municipal and cultural organizations can work together to make better use of public spaces and expand access to creative opportunities. With the arts playing an increasingly central role in community well-being and economic vitality, initiatives like this reflect a broader trend among Canadian municipalities to invest in cultural infrastructure and cross-sector partnerships.
By combining administrative coordination with shared programming, the City of Prince Albert and the Mann Art Gallery hope to reach more residents and nurture local artistic talent, from school-aged children to adults looking to explore new creative outlets.
While the pilot will run for one year, both organizations are approaching the collaboration as a learning opportunity that could inform future joint ventures. If successful, the model could pave the way for long-term cooperation in arts education and cultural programming across the city.
Residents interested in learning more about the partnership or participating in the upcoming programming can visit the city’s website for additional details and a full FAQ page.
