Red Earth, Inc. has been named winner in the Best Website category of the 2008 Annual Awards presented by the Oklahoma Museums Association. The awards recognize outstanding achievement by museums and individuals throughout the state during the past year.
With more than 420 members, the Oklahoma Museums Association supports Oklahoma museums in their efforts to educate, inform and entertain.
Award categories include exhibitions, promotional piece, publication, website, newsletters, conservation projects and education programs. Certificates of recognition honor the contributions of an individual, group, or business to Oklahoma museums or a specific museum or community.
The Red Earth website, http://www.redearth.org, utilizes images afforded the organization through its permanent art collection, historical artifacts and events from the annual Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival. The site is targeted to several audiences including those interested in Native art and culture, and educators looking for current Native American curriculum.
The website is used as a tourism marketing tool to encourage people to visit the Red Earth Museum, open every day inside Science Museum Oklahoma at 2100 NE 52nd Street in Oklahoma City, and the annual Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival held the first full weekend of June each year at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City.
“Our website is in a constant state of change, featuring new images, stories and updated information about Red Earth,” said Connie Hart-Yellowman, executive director. “We understand that change is good, because a stagnant website will soon loose interest among browsers of the web. Fresh information ensures repeat visits.”
Award recipients will be honored at a luncheon on September 26 at the Bartlesville Community Center. The luncheon is part of the Oklahoma Museums Association’s annual statewide conference. Gene Batchelder is keynote speaker at the luncheon. Batchelder is senior vise president, services, and chief information officer of ConocoPhillips. Tickets for the award luncheon are $25 and can be purchased by calling (4050 424-7757.
Red Earth, Inc. is a non-profit organization that promotes and presents the rich traditions of American Indian arts and cultures through educational programs, the annual Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival and the Red Earth Museum.
