2011 Conference

2011 Program Wrap Up

KEYNOTE AND PLENARY SESSION MEDIA AND MATERIALS

 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS MEDIA AND MATERIALS

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CONCURRENT SESSIONS MEDIA AND MATERIALS

 

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2011 OMA Annual Conference
Keynote / Plenary Speakers

 

Opening Keynote Speaker

Thursday November 3rd, 9:00 to 10:00a.m.

Alan Latourelle
Alan Latourelle, 
Chief Executive Officer,
Parks Canada CEO

Appointed Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada in 2002, Alan Latourelle joined the Agency in 1997. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the Université du Québec and a Master of Business Administration from Queen's University.  In his role as CEO, Mr. Latourelle has set the course for helping Parks Canada to become a recognized leader in Canadian tourism and governmental aboriginal relationships, while improving the Agency's track record in conservation.  Under his leadership, Parks Canada has added 76,000 square kilometers to Canada's network of protected natural areas and has been awarded the Tourism Industry Association of Canada Award for Business of the Year. Mr. Latourelle is currently the Deputy Minister Champion for the Advancement of Aboriginal Employment in the Federal Public Service. 

 

Closing Presentation

Friday November 4th, 4:00 to 5:00p.m.

   

Ruth Goodman is a social and domestic historian working with museums, theatre, television and educational establishments. She has presented (and consulted on) several highly successful television series including “The Victorian Farm”, “Victorian Farm Christmas” “Tales from the Green Valley” and “The Victorian Pharmacy”, and followed by "The Edwardian Farm" in 2010/2011 (all for primetime BBC Two) as well as presenting a variety of films for The One Show.  The series also received high critical acclaim and was nominated for a Royal Television Society Award. The book of the series, also called “The Victorian Farm” went to No. 1 in The Sunday Times’s best seller list. Due to its phenomenal success, BBC Two have commissioned a 12- part follow on series called “The Edwardian Farm”.

As well as her television work, Ruth offers advisory services, lectures and holds practical workshops around the country. As a social historian she works with a whole range of people, institutions and museums such as The Weald and Downland, The Globe Theatre, Shakespeare's Birthplace Trust, the National Trust and the heritage and drama departments of several universities.

Her particular interest is the domestic; how we lived our daily lives and why we did the things we did. Also how seemingly little things change the world. Our day to day routines have a huge cumulative effect on the environment; our shopping habits can sway the world's patterns of trade and how we organise and run our family life sets the political tone of nations.

As Ruth says “We matter. How our ancestors – ordinary men, women and children - solved the nitty gritty problems of everyday life made the world what it is today”.

Ruth’s consultancy work covers media (including assisting make up artists with Elizabethan cosmetics in ‘Shakespeare in Love’, information on personal hygiene practices for Channel 4’s Colonial House), interpretation for museums and heritage sites, designing exhibitions and training staff. Her courses and lectures cover everything from ‘History of Eating’, ‘Victorian Cleaning’, ‘The Cycle of Life’, ‘Babies and Birth’, ‘Medicine – A Consumer’s Guide’ and ‘A Good Death’. Her favoured periods are Tudor, Edwardian, Elizabethan and Victorian.

Ruth lives with her family in Buckinghamshire.

  Ruth Goodman
Ruth Goodman,
Historical Consultant

 

Panel - New Directions, New Visions Across Ontario 

Friday November 4th, 1:15 to 2:15p.m. 

 
Janet Carding was appointed Director and CEO, Royal Ontario Museum on June 17, 2010, and assumed the role on September 13, 2010. Ms. Carding is responsible for furthering the Museum’s mission, advocating for its ongoing public and private sector support, promoting its research, programs, and collections, and overseeing the management of the Museum’s operations, which include exhibitions, programs, education, visitor services, administration and facilities management. Ms. Carding is the first woman appointed to the position of ROM Director and CEO.

A museum professional for over two decades, Ms. Carding originally hails from England where she obtained her degree from Cambridge University in History and Philosophy of Science and a Masters from the University of London in History of Science and Medicine. Her career in museology began as an entry-level curator with London’s Science Museum, before moving into the areas of exhibition and programs development.
 
   Janet Carding
Janet Carding
Director and CEO, 
Royal Ontario Museum  
Victoria Dickenson took on the directorship of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in April 2011, with the mandate to revitalize this important national institution in light of major changes to its legislative mandate. In 2009, Dr. Dickenson initiated the post of Chief Knowledge Officer of the new federal institution, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was formerly Executive Director of the McCord Museum of Canadian History in Montreal from 1998-2009. She is a graduate of the Master in Museum Studies Program at the University of Toronto and has over thirty-five years experience working in the Canadian and international museum 
communities. Dr. Dickenson has worked in collections and research, as well as public programs. She has been involved with the development of numerous exhibitions and interpretive projects, within the museum community and in the private sector. She is an acknowledged leader in the application of information technology to museum practice. She also works and writes on the relationship between museums and communities, particularly in the related contexts of diversity and globalization.

 

  Victoria Dickenson 
Victoria Dickenson
Director and CEO,
McMichael Canadian Art Collection 

Guy Labine became CEO of Science North in May 2011. He has been part of the Science North team since 2001, originally as the Director of Business Development where he successfully led the ongoing growth and development of Science North's international sales and consulting business. He played a major role in the success of the fundraising for Dynamic Earth, Science North's Earth science centre. Guy was appointed as Chief Operating Officer in November 2009. In April 2011 Guy completed a one year post graduate program of the Noyce Leadership Institute, a program specifically designed to enhance the leadership skills of senior science centre professionals. Before joining Science North in 2001 Guy was General Manager of the Sudbury Regional Development Corporation.
On the volunteer front, Guy served as Chair of the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation from 2007-2010.

  Guy Labine
Guy Labine
Chief Executive Officer, Science North  
     
Denise Amyot is currently, President and CEO of the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation whose mandate is to foster scientific and technological literacy throughout the country. The Corporation and its three museums – the Canada Agriculture Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and the Canada Science and Technology Museum – tell the stories of Canadian ingenuity and achievement in science and technology.

She has worked both in National Headquarters and in regions in several federal departments including central agencies, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, National Defense, Natural Resources Canada, and Canadian Heritage. In her former three roles as Assistant Deputy Minister, she was respectively responsible for leading and managing leadership development programs and developing policies for employees and executives throughout the public Service of Canada, the corporate management services, as well as public affairs and ministerial services. She has worked extensively in policy and line operations in the context of programs and service delivery, in social, economic, and cultural areas. She also worked for few years with the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Ms Amyot is the former President of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada, Vice-President of the Head of Federal Agencies Steering Committee, and member of the Board of Governors at the Ottawa University and at the Algonquin College. She is the former President of the Association of Professional Executives of the Public Service of Canada and former President of the Communications Community Office.

Ms Amyot has obtained a Master's degree in Education and three Bachelor degrees in Biology, in Arts and in Education.

  Denise Amyot
Denise Amyot
President and CEO,
Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation

 

Plenary - Today's Food Grows From Historic Roots

Thursday, November 3rd - 3:15p.m.

   

An internationally published food writer, cookbook author, broadcaster and teacher on the Canadian food scene for over 3 decades, Rose Murray has consulted for a number of food companies and government bodies, has written for countless national newspapers and magazines such as The Globe & Mail and Canadian Living and has appeared on radio and television stations across the country including the CBC and CTV. She has been resident cook on the CTV Kitchener Noon News for many years. One time owner of a cooking school in Kitchener, Rose has taught baking at Conestoga College and a food and culture course at Wilfred Laurier University.

She has authored a prolific ten cookbooks. Her most recent book, A Taste of Canada: A Culinary Journey, received an honorary mention at the 2009 National Culinary Book Awards, and her ninth book Hungry for Comfort, received both a bronze award for culture and the gold award for best cokbook.

Among her other awards are the Toronto Culinary Guild's Silver Ladle for her unique contribution to Ontario's food industry, the Bernice Adams Memorial Award (Cambridge) for Communications/Literary Arts, a gold medal in the category of Media/Publishing from the Ontraio Hostelry Institute and in 2010, a Cambridge YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for Culture.

  Rose Murray
 

 

Awards Banquet Welcome

Thursday, November 3rd - 6:00p.m.

   

Ken Seiling was re-elected Regional Chair on October 25, 2010.

A life-long resident of Elmira, Ontario, Ken Seiling attended Elmira District Secondary School and received his post-secondary education at Waterloo Lutheran University, McMaster University, and the University of Toronto. After two years as a councillor and seven years as Mayor of Woolwich Township, Ken was first elected by Regional Council as Regional Chair in 1985 and again in 1988, 1991, and 1994.

In 1997, he became the first directly elected Regional Chair in Waterloo Region. He was re-elected in 2000, 2003, and 2006. Prior to being elected as Regional Chair, Ken first taught at Waterloo Collegiate Institute before going on to become the Director of the Wellington County Museum and Archives. He also served on the Executive of the Ontario Museum Association, including a term as President.

As Regional Chair, Ken has experience at both levels of municipal government and with many Boards and Commissions, including the Waterloo Regional Police Services Board, Waterloo Regional Library Board, Waterloo North Hydro Commission and the Grand River Conservation Authority.

He has served as Chair of the Waterloo Regional Police Services Board and Chair of Regional Chairs of Ontario. He serves on the Board of Governors of the University of Waterloo. As Regional Chair, Ken is also a member of all Regional Standing Committees. Provincially, Ken sits on the Board of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), and has served on many AMO groups and sub-committees. Currently he is serving as Chair of the Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario. He has been appointed by the Province to sit on a variety of advisory panels and committees over the years.

Ken and his wife Kathryn live in Elmira. They have five children and five grand children. For 40 years, Ken served as an organist and choirmaster and now enjoys filling in at the organ in churches across the Region. Having started his working life as a history teacher, Ken continues to have an ongoing interest in things historical. 

  Ken Seiling
Ken Seiling
Region of Waterloo 
Regional Chair 

 

2011 OMA Annual Conference
Speaker Biographies

MIRIAM ADAMS

Co-founder/Director, Dance Collection Danse
Miriam Adams is the Co-founder/Director of Dance Collection Danse. She danced with The National Ballet of Canada, and with her late husband, Lawrence Adams, founded 15 Dance Laboratorium, Toronto’s first experimental dance venue. 
The Adams then established Visus Foundation to videotape dance activity in Canada. In 1983, they initiated the ENCORE! ENCORE! reconstruction project to rescue choreographic works created in the 1940s and 1950s. Dance Collection Danse, Canada’s national dance archives and publisher, was founded in 1986. 
Miriam has been a board member of many arts organizations and was named Adjunct Professor of York University in 2005. In 2010, she joined Theatre Museum Canada’s Advisory Board. She received a Dance in Canada Service Award; a Mayor’s Medal of Service; and, with Lawrence, the Dance Ontario Award for her contributions to dance. In 2009, Miriam received the Rita Davies and Margo Bindhardt Award for Cultural Leadership from the Toronto Arts Foundation.

KEREN ADDERLEY

Co-ordinator of Marketing and Communications Planning, Housing and Community Services, Region of Waterloo
Keren Adderley is the Coordinator of Communications and Marketing for the Planning, Housing and Community Services Department at the Region of Waterloo. A former journalist, Keren worked for a PR agency specializing in risk and crisis communications and training, before joining the Region in 2005. In addition to working on the public consultation process for the Region’s recently approved rapid transit system, Keren led an internal team of communicators who developed the Region’s social media guidelines for staff.

AMY BARRON

Interim Curator, Scugog Shores Museum
Amy Barron has a BA in History and a PhD in Archaeology, as well as a Certificate in Museum Studies. She has been in the museum field for nearly twenty years and worked in a variety of sites both large and small. Her particular strength has been in education and public programming, though she has covered all aspects of museum work including administrative and curatorial duties, event planning and exhibit design. In 2010-2011, she served as Interim Curator for the Scugog Shores Museums where she had the opportunity to develop a new permanent gallery for the museum focusing on the history and archaeology of the local First Nations. Amy also spends time on archaeological excavations abroad and being an occasional lecturer at the University of Toronto.

MATTHER BATES

Director, Mystus Exhibits
Matthew Bates, director and owner of Mystus Exhibits, brings 28 years of experience in exhibit-making to the team. He has been a key player in the creation of many immersive exhibitions for museums. After graduation from the University of Toronto with an honours degree in Physics and Astronomy, Matthew worked in astronomy research. He went on to join the Ontario Science Centre as a multimedia and interactive exhibit designer/developer. Understanding that interactive exhibit-making requires a diverse vocabulary, Matthew started Mystus Exhibits with a multi-disciplinary vision. Matthew is himself an expert in most services that Mystus offers and at the same time a practical business-person and manager. He brings lateral thinking to solving challenges. He is dedicated to creating works that stay true to original intentions. During his career Matthew has worked for many museums throughout the world.

CATHY BLACKBOURN

Museum & Heritage Advisor, Ministry of Tourism & Culture
Cathy Blackbourn, B.A, B.Ed, MMSt, is a Museum & Heritage Advisor for the Ministry of Tourism & Culture.  Prior to assuming that position in April 2011, she was Professional Development Program Manager for the Ontario Museum Association for 13 years. She was Education Coordinator at the Joseph Schneider Haus Museum for 10 years. Cathy has also worked for the Royal Ontario Museum, London Regional Children’s Museum, Toronto Historical Board and Oakville Museums. As a member of The Learning Coalition, Cathy co-authored Building Responsive Museums: A Discussion FrameworkHuman Resource Planning Tool for Successful Museums, two online learning modules (for CHIN) on Project Management and Storyline Development,Improving Performance Through Evaluation A Resource Guide for Museum Training Providers and Managers and, Guidelines for Developing Entry-Level Museum Practice Programs.

DIANNE BOSTON-NYP

Community Relations Coordinator, Volunteer Action Centre of Kitchener-Waterloo
Dianne joined the Volunteer Action Centre of Kitchener Waterloo and Area in 2007 as Community Engagement Coordinator.  This role connects volunteers from all ages and sectors from youth to suitable community involvement opportunities that may exist or perhaps need to be created for them. “Bridging the Gap” is what the Volunteer Action Centre does for its community. The research being presented reflects the existing state of volunteerism and is leading the way to understanding volunteers of a new era. Dianne has spent her entire career within the voluntary sector since graduating from Brock University as a Theatre Arts Major. She enjoys sharing her passion and enthusiasm for “the people services” with all audiences of all ages.

AMY BOWRING

Director of Research, Dance Collection Danse
Amy Bowring (Hons. BA, Fine Arts Studies, York University; MA, Journalism, University of Western Ontario) is the Director of Research at the archives/publisher and research centre Dance Collection Danse. She is also the founder of the Society for Canadian Dance Studies, and the copy editor and news editor of The Dance Current. She has published articles and papers in journals, books, encyclopedias and conference proceedings. Amy teaches Canadian dance history at Ryerson University. She recently curated the exhibition Dancing Through Time: Toronto’s Dance History 1900-1980 at Toronto’s Market Gallery, and has curated virtual exhibitions on Toronto dance pioneers Alison Sutcliffe and Nancy Lima Dent. She was a co-recipient of the 2002 Toronto Emerging Dance Artist Award.

JEFF BROWN

Education Day Coordinator, The Canadian Military Heritage Society
As a child Jeff Brown recalls staring with wide-eyed fascination at the portraits of two WWI Canadian soldiers which adorned the walls of this grandmother's parlour. Family members fought and died in both World Wars and were present at Vimy Ridge and Juno Beach.

Eventually this interest in Canadian military history would lead Jeff to develop a WWI themed Education Day Program. This program runs with the mutual cooperation of the Canadian Military Heritage Society and Fanshawe Pioneer Village.

By profession Jeff is a Registered Nurse. This has sparked an interest in things both medical and military. Currently he is involved in helping to start up an historical re-enactment group which focuses on WWI Canadian Nursing Sisters.

Jeff has participated as an historical re-enactor for the past fifteen years and enjoys bringing history to life for students and the general public. History is not boring.

MELISSA COLE

Curator, Oshawa Community Museum
Melissa Cole has been employed at the Oshawa Community Museum for 11 years. She has been in the role of Curator for approximately 9 years. She has a Bachelor of Art Honours Degree in Anthropology from Trent University and a Museum Management and Curatorship Certificate from Sir Sandford Fleming College. Melissa was a part of the project team who was responsible for overseeing the cataloguing and curation of the recovered cultural material.   

LYNN EAKIN

Senior Policy Lead, Ontario Nonprofit Network
Building on years of leadership in nonprofit organizations, Lynn has been consulting in the nonprofit sector since 1989. Currently, as a Metcalf Innovation Foundation Fellow, Lynn is involved in the establishment of the Ontario Nonprofit Network, (ONN) to better position the sector to address the cross cutting policy issues it faces. She continues to engage in sector research and is involved with ONN in identifying, developing and advocating for systemic reforms to improve the ability of the sector to undertake its important work.  
For more on Lynn’s work   www.lynneakin.com

TARA FROMAN

Museum Education Co-ordinator, Woodland Cultural Centre
Tara Froman is the Museum Education Co-Ordinator of the Woodland Cultural Centre.  She is Haudenosaunee (Six Nations) from the Lower Cayuga nation of the Wolf Clan.  Tara holds a Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, specializing in the physical anthropology stream (think blood and bones), from McMaster University, as well as assorted information and technology certificates. Archival photographs (just plain old pictures) have always interested Tara; and she was keen to be assigned to organize, digitize, and investigate the photograph collection of the Woodland Cultural Centre. 800 photographs into this undertaking, Tara’s enthusiasm for the community stories centered upon these photos has not dimmed (although she has lost any fondness for dust she may previously have held).

LORRIE GALLANT

Public Education Extension Officer, Woodland Cultural Centre
Lorrie Gallant is a writer, illustrator, storyteller, visual artist, singer/songwriter born and raised on the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.

Lorrie is the author and illustrator of the children’s books, “Bread and Cheese, Noi:a, No:ia, Border Crossing and is currently working on “Little Lorrie and a Big Bowl of Corn Soup” which is illustrated in clay.  As well as beginning a graphic novel and Adventure Series for young readers called “The Six – The Big Dig”

As the Public Education Extension Officer of the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford, Lorrie uses her gifts to reveal the rich culture and traditions of First Nations people. Lorrie worked on a community arts project to produce children’s books on the History of Wahta and Tyendinaga Mohawk Territories and the book “The Voice of Our Elders” for the community of Six Nations.  Lorrie sits on the Board of Directors for the Brant Community Foundations, a member of the Six Nations Writers, Co-founder of the Dwa Na Ga Das First Nations Youth Choir and a Leader for Community Builders and Youth Leadership training program.

Lorrie completed a project based on youth interviewing elders of the Six Nations Community and created 4 books as well as an art exhibition of the images.  Lorrie’s goal in all that she does is to inspire Native people to preserve their culture and traditions and celebrate who they are in this contemporary world!

KERRIE GILL

Education Officer, Woodstock Museum National Historic Site
Kerrie Gill is the Education Officer of the Woodstock Museum National Historic Site. She has graduated with a certificate in Museum Management and Curatorship through Sir Sandford Fleming College after attending the University of Toronto and Sheridan College. She was past Curator of the Norwich and District Museum and Education Assistant at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery. 

She is currently a member of the steering committee for the Thames Valley Regional Heritage Fair, chair for the Canadian Quaker Library and Archives, co-chair of the Volunteer Network of Oxford and the newest member of the London Museum School conglomerate.  

JORDAN GOLDSTEIN

General Manager, J.P. Metras Sports Museum, University of Western Ontario
Jordan Goldstein is the General Manager at the J.P. Metras Sports Museum at the University of Western Ontario.  Since graduating with his Master of Arts in History from UWO in October 2010, Jordan has held primary responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the museum. His responsibilities include but are not limited to cataloguing and accessioning artifacts, research coordination for external parties, and director of staff initiatives. His graduate work in the Public History program exposed him to the latest technologies and theories of museum operations. Jordan is a native Londoner and holds a tremendous amount of local knowledge about both the city and the University which greatly adds to the research abilities of the museum. An avid enthusiast of both sports and history, he will be pursuing a PhD in Sports History at U.W.O. starting in January 2012. Jordan is also an accomplished musician with two records under his belt.

TERESA GREGORIO

Information Officer, McMaster Museum of Art
Teresa Gregorio has an Honours BA in Art History from McMaster University as well as a Diploma in Cultural Resource Management from the University of Victoria.  She has been involved in the museum field for almost ten years, working in a variety of institutions and in an array of capacities.  The past four years have been devoted to working in education as an Information Officer at the McMaster Museum of Art, along with fellow presenter and Education Coordinator, Nicole Knibb.  In 2010, the Museum began an interdisciplinary partnership with the Department of Family Medicine, to develop the program, The Art of Seeing.  A fascinating and exciting opportunity, the program allows the opportunity to facilitate visual learning for medical doctors.

JANE HENNIG

Executive Director, Volunteer Action Centre of Kitchener-Waterloo
Jane Hennig is the Executive Director of the Volunteer Action Centre which provides services and resources to strengthen and build the capacity of over 160 charity and not-for-profit groups to engage and support volunteers.  Jane has degrees from both the University of Calgary and Wilfrid Laurier University.  Jane's expertise is volunteer management and board governance and her over 35 years volunteering for local, regional and national organizations have contributed to her belief in the value of volunteer involvement and the incredible impact of the voluntary sector on our Canadian identity.

GILLIAN HEWITT-SMITH

CEO and Executive Director, Institute for Canadian Citizenship
Gillian Hewitt Smith is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.  The ICC is a national, non-profit organization that engages Canadians in citizenship through innovative programs, campaigns and partnerships. Prior to joining the ICC, Gillian spent more than fifteen years working in corporate communications and corporate affairs, most recently with the Royal Bank of Canada as Senior Advisor, Corporate Affairs and Head of Communications for RBC's Group Head, Strategy, Treasury and Corporate Services.  Her other mandates have included media and stakeholder relations, crisis and issues management and corporate social responsibility. Gillian believes in active, engaged citizenship.  To that end, she gives her time as a volunteer to and has served on the boards of numerous organizations. A graduate of Queen's University, Gillian holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sociology (major), History and French (dual minors). Gillian lives in Toronto with her husband, Paul G. Smith, and is stepmother to Arnaud.

SEAN JASMINS

Supervisor of Marketing and Communications, Waterloo Region Museum
Sean Jasmins is the Supervisor of Marketing and Communications for the Waterloo Region Museum. Sean has 20 years experience in marketing, communications and public relations. Sean’s career spans media, corporate business, non-profit and municipal government. 

Prior to joining the management team of the Waterloo Region Museum Sean was a marketing specialist and publicist for the live performance arts hall the Centre In The Square where he focused on media planning and ad buying, high profile event planning, project management, coordinating advertising creative, public relations and sponsorship development.

Sean also has marketing experience in corporate business. He developed and implemented marketing strategies to promote Home Hardware’s national brand). To round things out, Sean has municipal experience gained through the City of Kitchener where he strategized and consulted with department managers to create effective ways to enhance public awareness of city departments and services, including community and special events, golf courses, Kitchener Market, cemeteries and The Aud.

JULIAN KINGSTON

Assistant Vice President, Education and Programs, Royal Ontario Museum
Coming soon

ANIA KORDIUK

VP, Visitor Relations & Commercial Services, Royal Ontario Museum
A veteran of Toronto’s non-profit and arts community since 1987, Ania Kordiuk joined the Royal Ontario Museum in 1993.

She began her involvement at the ROM by overseeing the Annual Giving, Membership and Patron fundraising programs. Under her leadership membership revenues increased an impressive 503%, with the Patron program growing by 70%. On an ongoing basis, she was also involved in a number of additional fundraising initiatives and directed the Public Capital Campaign from ’05 – ‘08, which generated in excess of $4m.

Ania also acted as Director of Marketing at the ROM from September ’97 – March ’98, Co-Executive Director of the ROM Foundation from March ‘98 – Sept ‘98 and VP, Marketing & Commercial Development from March ’07 – July ’07.

In July ’07 Ania was appointed VP, Visitor Relations & Commercial Services, overseeing the public operations at the museum. She manages Security, Visitor Experience (including front-line public/member customer service & sales and access), Hospitality Events, Restaurants, Retail and the Volunteer Department.

Under her direction, this new division has become cohesive and client focused with the result of greatly enhancing the overall Visitor Experience. Overall satisfaction has increased to 94%. In addition, innovative revenue opportunities and programs have been introduced and integrated throughout the operation.  Notably, Ania has ensured that the ROM is an industry leader in the development of many Access initiatives, in response to the new legislation "Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act".

Prior to joining the ROM, Ania worked in leading arts organizations such as Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, The Canadian Opera Company and The Canadian Stage Company. There she also lead fundraising, marketing and service teams to meet strategic objectives and exceed revenue and service targets.

NICOLE KNIBB

Education Coordinator, McMaster Museum of Art
Nicole Knibb (Hons. BA, Art History, McMaster University) is the Education Coordinator at the McMaster Museum of Art.  My colleague and MMA Information Officer, Teresa Gregorio, and I work alongside curatorial staff (both in-house and visiting curators), to develop innovative tours and programs for McMaster's academic community, such as The Art of Seeing with the McMaster Department of Family Medicine.  The Museum also welcomes and designs specific tours and learning activities to meet the needs of school groups and visitors from the local, national and international community.  As a teaching collection, I coordinate access to works of art in storage for students, professors, tour groups, and those who are just plain curious.  One of the finest aspects of my position is working with of our Docents and Volunteers.  As volunteer myself, I have volunteered with the Art Gallery of Hamilton, the Workers’ Art and Heritage Centre, and the HBSPCA.

MICHAEL LAPOINTE

Research Assistant, J.P. Metras Sports Museum, University of Western Ontario
Michael Lapointe is a Head of Research at the J.P. Metras Sports Museum at the University of Western Ontario. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy from U.W.O. in 2008. He then received his Master of Arts in Comparative Political Science from Western in 2010. Michael has lived in London Ontario his entire life and has extensive knowledge of the university’s athletic traditions. His responsibilities at the museum include cataloguing and accessioning athletic artifacts and pictures, researching coaching biographies, and overseeing an ongoing project honouring former Western Olympians. As a former high-school athlete and minor football coach, Michael has been involved in London’s athletic community for over a decade. Michael is an aspiring political journalist and hopes to pursue another Master of Arts in Journalism beginning in September 2012.

JASON LEAVER

JLeaver Presentations
Jason Leaver is a writer, director, cinematographer, editor and the list goes on. By day he is a corporate video producer – always putting a creative/fun spin on things. By night he is a filmmaker – crafting his own personal project. His labour of love is the internationally awarded web series Out With Dad, his first foray into web series production.

Throughout the years he’s participated in several 24/48hr film challenges with award-winning results. His video installation project “Mobius” appeared in Toronto’s 2009 Scotiabank Nuit Blanche. Jason’s projects have been nominated and awarded for its writing, direction, action and music by the Independent Soap Awards, 2011 LAweb Festival, One Minute Film Festival in Toronto. Including a nomination for a Webby Award.

Jason is also a co-organizer/co-host of the Toronto Web Series Community, a growing, supportive network of digital storytellers. He is passionate about sharing knowledge and encouraging new storytellers of all ages.

GAYE MANDEL

Director, Advertising, Home Depot Canada
Gaye Mandel is a seasoned advertising and marketing professional. Her passion has focused on representing winning retailers and iconic brands like The Home Depot, where she has been since 2006. She governs the overall brand consistency and is responsible for ensuring creative is aligned to the objectives of each of the business units for broadcast, print and on-line execution. Prior to The Home Depot, Gaye worked for other great brands including Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall/Pharma Plus and Pizza Pizza. She is currently on the board of directors of POPAI, The Global Association for Marketing at Retail.

MICHELINE McKAY

Principal, Micheline McKay + Associates 
Micheline McKay is founder and publisher of The Arts Advocate Report. Designed to deliver unique sector-specific information to strengthen subscribers’ own advocacy efforts, The Report consistently provides succinct and pertinent intelligence on the politics and policies affecting Ontario’s cultural sector.

For twelve years, Micheline shared her time between her consulting practice, Opera.ca and The Arts Advocate. Until 2008, Micheline was the part-time Executive Director of Opera.ca, where she built the organization from its earliest days as a small committee of OPERA America to a full-fledged national arts service association recognized for championing the interests of the Canadian opera sector. Read more at www.michelinemckay.ca

ROB McMAHON

Producer, ROM Media Productions, Royal Ontario Museum
An experienced journalist/director/digital media producer in television current affairs, documentary film, and digital interactivity, Rob got his start in the industry as an editor for renowned animation company Nelvana Inc., before moving on to CBC’s evening news The National, where he edited and co-produced current affairs segments.  This was followed by work at The National Film Board of Canada, CBC’s Newsworld, and CTV’s Book Television ,where he was a story producer on the literary current affairs show The Word This Week. Rob has also directed a growing portfolio of documentary films, including Re: Imagining the City (art/culture of urban space), Write about the Music (analysis of  music criticism), and Remembering a Memory (Diaspora and commemoration).  Currently, Rob is an interactive producer with the Royal Ontario Museum, creating digital media as an integral component of a new generation of participatory exhibitions.

DEVON MUHIC

Youth Resource Lead, Scarborough Museum
Devon is thrilled to be presenting at this year's OMA conference. She currently works at the Scarborough Museum as the Youth Resource Lead, a job that allows her to see local youth flourish. With an outside the box approach Devon views every encounter as a new opportunity. Over the past few years she has helped to grow the volunteer youth teams, and sees endless potential in the energy youth can bring to a museum. Devon holds a B.A. from the University Of Toronto at Scarborough.

CAROLINE OLIVER

Director of Development and Marketing, Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery
Caroline Oliver has been the Director of Development & Marketing with the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery since 2003. She holds an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University and an Honours Bachelor of Journalism degree from Carleton University, and has completed numerous professional development courses and seminars in marketing and fundraising. She has served on the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo and Area Chamber of Commerce’s Networking Breakfast Committee since 2003, including two years as Chair. In addition to her volunteer work for the Chamber, she served on the Program Advisory Committee for the Public Relations program at Conestoga College, is a member of the Program Committee for the local chapter of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners, and is a member of the Marketing Committee with the Waterloo Regional Tourism Marketing Corporation. Previously she was a Board member with the Child Witness Centre of Waterloo Region. In 2011 she received the Business Excellence Award for Volunteer of the Year from the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo and Area Chamber of Commerce.

Ms. Oliver helped spearhead the introduction of the Cultural Access Pass program to Waterloo Region in 2009. 

LANA PHAROAH

Education Manager, Fanshawe Pioneer Village
Lana Pharoah has been involved in the msueum sector for the past 15 years as a volunteer/weekend attendant and education assistant with Guelph Museums. She graduated from the University of Guelph with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in History and Sociology. In 2003/2004 she completed her Bachelor of Education degree with Nipissing University. Lana is currently enjoying her time as the Education Manager with Fanshawe Pioneer Village located in London, Ontario.

DAN RAHIMI

VP, Gallery Development, Royal Ontario Museum
Coming soon

JULIAN SIGGERS

VP, Programs and Content Communication, Royal Ontario Museum
Coming soon

LAURA SUCHAN

Executive Director, Oshawa Community Museum
Laura has been employed at the museum for 21 years and is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the museum. She has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree from Trent University majoring in Anthropology, a Master of Arts degree from York University in History and a Certificate in Adult Teaching and Training. This will be the third archaeological project that Laura has participated in within the Oshawa community.  

“The whole idea of introducing historical archaeology to the Oshawa area, for the benefit of students, visitors and residents, is very exciting. The past is really important and we need to share and protect this history.”  - Laura Suchan

MARK TOVEY

Affiliate Researcher, Waterloo Institute for Complexity and Innovation, University of Waterloo
Mark Tovey received his Ph.D. in Cognitive Science at Carleton University. Mark was the editor of the book Collective Intelligence (2008). His second book, The Reputation Society (co-edited with Hassan Masum), will be published by MIT Press in December 2011.

Mark is keenly interested in the theatre history of London, Ontario. Together with Joe Lella, he co-founded GarrisonTheatricals.com, which offers opportunities to appreciate London’s theatrical past. Inspired by Mark's paper ‘The First Stage: The Officers of the London Garrison and the Theatre Royal’ (London and Middlesex Historian, vol. 20), and with the support of the London Heritage Council, Garrison Theatricals staged a play this summer at the Fanshawe Pioneer Village, as it might have been performed by the Officers of the London Garrison in 1842. This production resulted in invitations to speak at theCanadian Museums Association Conference, the Canadian Creative Cities Summit, and Forward Into the Past.

KATRINA URBAN

Education & Community Relations Officer, Museum of Ontario Archaeology
Katrina (Katie) Urban holds an Honours BA in Classics and Classical Archaeology from Wilfrid Laurier University and a MA in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester, in the UK. She has been involved in the museum field for nearly ten years and in that time has gained experience in museum education, programming, social media, curatorial research and exhibit design. She is the author of two recent Muse articles, Online Social Media: Who Are You Reaching?, and How to build your own Wiimote interactive whiteboard. She was also co-curator and researcher for the recent exhibit “Lost Collections of the Ancient World: How Roman Britain and Ur Came to Ontario.” Katrina believes that our greatest asset in the museum’s field is each other and she is always eager to collaborate on exciting projects with colleagues. Katrina can be reached at [email protected] orwww.newmuseumkat.ca

DEBORAH YOUNG

Coordinator of Volunteer Resources, Waterloo Region Museum
Deborah Young is the Coordinator of Volunteer Resources for the Region of Waterloo, Waterloo Region Museum. Deborah has an International Designation in Volunteer Administration and Human Resource Management and has more than 16 years of experience in the municipal government and museum field. The Waterloo Region Museum has approximately 1,200 volunteers involved with Collections, Conservation, Costuming, Heritage Gardening, Programming, Research, Doors Open Waterloo Region and the Waterloo Wellington Children’s Groundwater Festival. Deborah has been involved with projects for Volunteer Canada, the Canadian Volunteer Initiatives and the Municipal Volunteer Toolkit. Deborah teaches Volunteer Management at Conestoga College and at workshops across the Province.

2011 OMA Annual Conference Tradeshow - SOLD OUT

SUPPORT AND PROMOTION OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE!
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

CONFIRMED TRADESHOW EXHIBITORS:

Archives Association of Ontario
Armstrong Fine Art Services
 
Brodart
Chin
 
Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation
Canadian Museum of Civilization
 
Canadian Heritage
Carr McLean
 
DUNDURN
Friesens
 
Gallery Systems
Gaylord
 
Hoskin Scientific
Lord Cultural Resources
 
Minisis Inc.
Mystus Exhibits
 
Pacart
Posmosis Technologies Inc.
 
Public Services Health & Safety Association
Rhoddy Design
 
Ristech
Sherbrooke
 
Spacesaver Solutions Inc.
Stelterr
 
Tristan Interactive
Total Transportation Solutions Inc.
 
XYZ Cultural Technology
Zone Display Cases

2011 OMA Annual Conference
Support and Promotion Opportunities now Available!

Thank you to the following 2011 Conference partners for their continued support of Ontario's museum community:

 Conference 2011 Supporters

Support and Promotion opportunities are stillavailable for the 2011 OMA Annual Conference, taking place November 2-6, in Kitchener-Waterloo

Download the Support and Promotion form HERE.

Levels of Partnership Include:
 

PROGRAM LEADER

  • Prominent signage at all Annual Conference events, with primary recognition on promotional material, general signage and program publications
  • 6 complimentary full registrations to the Conference (incl. 6 tickets to the Banquet)
  • 6 complimentary one-day  registrations to the Conference
  • 6 complimentary Awards Banquet Tickets
  • Complimentary tradeshow booth
  • Principal logo on the Delegate Bag, program-related  publications, and on the OMA website with link
  • Insert of promotional material in Delegate Bags 

PROGRAM PARTNER

  • Prominent signage at the Annual Conference Awards Banquet, with recognition on promotional material, general signage and program publications
  • 3 complimentary full registrations to the Conference (incl. 3 tickets to the Banquet)
  • 3 complimentary one-day  registrations to the Conference
  • 3 complimentary Awards Banquet Tickets
  • Complimentary tradeshow booth
  • Prominent logo on the Delegate Bag, program-related publications, and on the OMA website with link    
  • Insert of promotional material in Delegate Bags

PROGRAM ASSOCIATE

  • Recognition on signage at an Annual Conference Keynote/Plenary, with recognition on promotional materials, general signage, and event related publications
  • 2 complimentary full registration to the Annual Conference (incl. 2 tickets to the Banquet)
  • 2 complimentary one-day  registrations to the Conference
  • 2 complimentary Awards Banquet Tickets
  • Complimentary tradeshow booth
  • Logo on the Delegate Bag, program-related publications, and on the OMA website with link
  • Insert of promotional material in Delegate Bags 

PROGRAM AMBASSADOR

  • Recognition on signage at an Annual Conference Luncheon, with recognition on promotional materials and event related publications.
  • 1 complimentary full registration to the Conference (incl. 1  ticket to the Banquet)
  • 1 complimentary one-day registrations to the Conference
  • 1 complimentary Awards Banquet Tickets
  • Logo on the Delegate Bag, program-related publications, and on the OMA website with link
  • Insert of promotional material in Delegate Bags

PROGRAM COLLEAGUE

  • Recognition on signage at an Annual Conference Break or Concurrent Session
  • Recognition on promotional materials and event related publications
  • Logo on the Delegate Bag, program-related publications, and on the OMA website with link
  • Insert of promotional material in Delegate Bags 

PROGRAM SUPPORTER

  • Name on signage at the Annual Conference, with recognition on promotional materials and event related publications.
  • Logo on the delegate bag program-related publications and OMA website with link  

Contact the OMA at [email protected] for more information and to participate!

Thank you to the following 2010 Conference partners for their continued support of Ontario's museum community:  

Conference 2010 Partners

2011 AGM Business

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO OMA BY-LAWS

Only by-laws where amendment is recommended are cited.  In the middle column, “The Differences,” the struck out text indicates material that was removed from the by-law, while the underlined text refers to new material.  Please note that due to the revisions the numbering of the by-laws has changed in some cases, and no longer directly relates to the previous by-law numbers.

 

CURRENT BY-LAW THE DIFFERENCES REVISED BY-LAW 
ARTICLE 4: COUNCIL

4.1     Composition

The affairs of the Association shall be managed by a Council of 11 persons. Council shall consist of the immediate Past President, and ten elected members, namely, the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and seven Councillors-at-large, elected at the Annual General Meeting.  

ARTICLE 4: COUNCIL

4.1     Composition

The affairs of the Association shall be managed by a Council of 12persons. Council shall consist of the immediate Past President, and elevenelected members, namely, the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and seven Councillors-at-large, elected at the Annual General Meeting.

ARTICLE 4: COUNCIL

4.1     Composition

The affairs of the Association shall be managed by a Council of 12 persons. Council shall consist of the immediate Past President, and eleven elected members, namely, the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and seven Councillors-at-large, elected at the Annual General Meeting.

 

4.3     Executive Committee of Council

The Executive Committee of Council consists of the President, Vice-President and Treasurer. The Executive Committee may exercise all powers of Council, subject to any restrictions imposed from time to time by Council. The quorum for meetings of the Executive Committee shall be a majority of the members of such committee.

The Executive Committee shall report on all actions at the next Council meeting.

4.3     Executive Committee of Council

The Executive Committee of Council consists of the Past President, President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Executive Committee may exercise all powers of Council, subject to any restrictions imposed from time to time by Council. The quorum for meetings of the Executive Committee shall be a majority of the members of such committee.

The Executive Committee shall report on all actions at the next Council meeting.

4.3     Executive Committee of Council

The Executive Committee of Council consists of the Past President, President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Executive Committee may exercise all powers of Council, subject to any restrictions imposed from time to time by Council. The quorum for meetings of the Executive Committee shall be a majority of the members of such committee.

The Executive Committee shall report on all actions at the next Council meeting.

 

  4.7     Duties of Secretary

The Secretary, or the person acting on behalf of the Secretary of the Association, shall attend meetings of the Council, and as officer of the Executive have responsibility for the meeting minutes, bylaw review, policy review and development. The Secretary shall also perform such other duties as may from time to time be determined by Council.

4.7     Duties of Secretary

The Secretary shall attend meetings of the Council, and as officer of the Executive have responsibility for the meeting minutes, bylaw review, policy review and development. The Secretary shall also perform such other duties as may from time to time be determined by Council. 

 

COUNCIL NOMINATIONS 2011/2012 

The Nominations Committee, composed of Chair Kathleen Powell, OMA President, St. Catharines Museum, and members Brian Manser, Grey Roots Museum & Archives and Paul Robertson, Kingston Museums, both elected by the membership at the October 08, 2010 Annual General Meeting in Toronto, is pleased to bring forward the following slate of Council nominations for consideration by the membership at the 2011 Annual General Meeting, November 04, 2011.  

The responsibility to select candidates best suited to lead the Association requires thoughtful planning and attention to skills / areas of expertise currently required by the Council, therefore the OMA adheres to the practice of not accepting nominations from the floor at the Annual General Meeting.


GILLES SÉGUIN, PRESIDENT 
FIRST YEAR OF A FIRST TWO-YEAR TERM

Over the past 30 years, Gilles Séguin has worked in the heritage, information management, and information technology fields. Gilles is currently Manager of Cultural Resources Services at the Ontario Service Centre, Parks Canada Agency. He also volunteers on the board of Muséoparc Vanier Museopark. Previously, he was the Program Manager, Heritage Development, at the City of Ottawa. His experience encompasses strategic planning, heritage community support and development, program development, delivery and evaluation, cultural resources preservation and presentation, and financial and human resources management.

"I look forward to continuing to bring my experience to further the work of the Association and its membership."

YVES THÉORET, VICE PRESIDENT 
FIRST YEAR OF A FIRST TWO-YEAR TERM

Yves Théoret is Managing Director of the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, Toronto. Over the last fifteen years, Yves has held several positions in museums in Canada and the United States, including assignments with the National Gallery of Canada, the Portrait Gallery of Canada, the J. Paul Getty Museum, and the Canadian Centre for Architecture. A recent participant in the Museum Leadership Institute supported by the J. Paul Getty Foundation in Los Angeles, his areas of expertise include strategic planning, resource development as well as marketing, and communications. Yves Théoret is married and has three children.

“The Ontario Museum Association is an immensely valuable resource for museums across the province, and I am looking forward to the opportunity of serving on Council and advancing the interests of its members.”

JOHN DALRYMPLE, TREASURER 
FIRST YEAR OF A SECOND TWO-YEAR TERM

John Dalrymple is currently the Associate Director, Annual Giving at Canada’s National Ballet School. Additionally, John is a Professor at Centennial College in the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culture. From 2001 – 2010 John was on the management team of the Textile Museum of Canada, holding the positions of Project Manager, Web Designer, Development Manager, Director of Development and Acting Executive Director. During his tenure there John played a leadership role in the advancement of the Museum’s digitization and new media/Web programming, as well as growing and formalizing the institution’s fundraising activities. He earned a Specialized Honours B.A. in Anthropology from York University in 1998 and a Masters of Museum Studies degree from the University of Toronto in 2001. John has conducted anthropological and archaeological fieldwork in Belize, Peru and Canada and has published works on museology in a number of academic and arts based publications. John’s work has been recognized through awards from the Canadian Museums Association, American Association of Museums and the Ontario Association of Art Galleries.

“Currently working in the performing arts and education fields in a senior fundraising capacity has given me fresh insights into contributed revenue development that I am keen to share with the Association and its members in my capacity as a Councillor. As the Association’s Treasurer I am pleased to work with my colleagues on Council and the OMA staff to ensure membership dues, public monies and funds raised through OMA activities are effectively stewarded, deployed and maximized for the greatest benefit.”

CLARK BERNAT, SECRETARY 
FIRST YEAR OF A FIRST TWO-YEAR TERM

Born in St. Catharines, Clark developed a great appreciation for Museums due to his many visits to cultural institutions with his grandfather and parents. Clark has a degree in History from Brock University and a Master's Degree in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester. His work at Leicester focused on cultural diversity in Museums. Clark has worked in various capacities at the St. Catharines Museum, Battlefield House Museum, Backus Heritage Village and the Niagara Historical Society Museum, currently he is the Manager of Museums for the City of Niagara Falls Museums. He has sat on the Steering Committee of the Children's Discovery Centre of Niagara, chaired Doors Open Niagara and the Museums of Niagara Association (MONA).

“I look forward to serving the Museums community of Ontario on the OMA council. As a director of a mid-sized museum I understand the diversity of needs our sector requires. I would like to provide my experience and expertise in community building, partnerships, advocacy and public relations to Council and our community.”

KATHLEEN POWELL, PAST PRESIDENT
FIRST YEAR OF A FIRST TWO-YEAR TERM

Kathleen Powell is the Supervisor Museum Operations / Curator at the St. Catharines Museum. She has most recently served as Council President and was the Chair of the Conference Committee in 2006, 2007, 2008. Kathleen is also a serving member of the Canadian Forces as a part of their Cadet Instructor's Cadre. 

"I believe that strong communities are built not only on economic wealth but also on the richness and diversity of their cultural sector. The Ontario Museum Association's support of Museums and historic sites is an important piece of the whole picture aimed at strengthening this sector. I am honoured to be able to lend my support and skills to the work of the OMA and the Museum sector at large."

KAREN BACHMANN, COUNCILLOR 
SECOND YEAR OF A SECOND TWO-YEAR TERM

Karen Bachmann is the Director/Curator for the Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre and has been with the organization for over twenty-five years. Her volunteer activities include over ten years’ service with the Ontario Museum Association, serving as President of the organization in 1996; she has also chaired the Awards Committee for the Canadian Museum Association and ICOM Canada. She has been a member of the Ontario Celebrate Canada Committee for over eighteen years. She has held board positions with the Porcupine United Way, the Cochrane Temiskaming Museums and Galleries Association, Arts and Culture Timmins and committee work with the Timmins Chamber of Commerce. Karen has authored three books on the history of the Porcupine Camp and currently writes a weekly column on history and heritage issues for the Timmins Daily Press. She has recently re-opened the Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre at a new location in downtown Timmins.

“I have been a member of the Ontario Museum Association for over twenty-five years. The OMA has been of great benefit to me as a museum worker; I feel that it is time to return the favour and offer my experience and service to an association that I feel stands up, not only for museum professionals, but for heritage in general in this province. I would be proud to work with others to further the cause of museums in what I think will be very interesting times for us all as heritage and cultural workers.”

MARK FARMER, COUNCILLOR
FIRST YEAR OF A FIRST TWO-YEAR TERM

Mark is the Web Redesign Manager at the Royal Ontario Museum. In addition to managing the ROM’s online redesign, he leads development of the museum’s Content Management System, and is chairing its social media team. Mark has spent most of the last ten years working in the non-profit sector for such organizations as Earth Day Canada, Summerhill Group, the Association of Canadian Advertisers, the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce and more. Mark is the founder of the Toronto Museums & Culture Online Collective, and co-organizes Social Media Café Toronto. He regularly speaks on technology issues for events such as MyCharityConnects, PodCamp Toronto, Canada Helps and Community Living Ontario. He is the founder of webness.biz, a full-service electronic communications consultancy. Mark’s specializes in online communications and strategy.

“For several years now, I’ve been looking for the right association to help out with in an advisory capacity, one where I can use my years of online experience. The OMA seems like a perfect fit, given my passion for museums and my desire to create connections between people and the information they need to make strategic decisions.”

PETAL FURNESS, COUNCILLOR 
FIRST YEAR OF A FIRST TWO-YEAR TERM

Petal currently leads the Heritage Interpretation department at Grey Roots Museum & Archives, a position that she has held for seven years. Petal began her career as an historic site interpreter at Fort Langley NHS in B.C. After several years there, she moved to Parks Canada regional office in Calgary, to take the position of Heritage Interpretation Specialist and Service Planner. As an Aboriginal woman (Shuswap First Nation), it was a natural progression for her to work with Aboriginal communities across Canada, helping them to tell their stories. Petal moved to Owen Sound in 1999 to assume the position of E.D. for Ontario Native Literacy and was instrumental in securing funds to start up Ningwakwe Learning Press, a national Aboriginal organization, whose mandate is to develop, design and print literacy materials. At present Petal sits on the Tom Thomson Art Gallery Board. Petal is also a professional photographer. She has four children, two still at home, and a grandson. 

“The Ontario Museum Association is a very important resource to museums throughout Ontario, especially museums that are not in the GTA. We have enjoyed partaking of the OMA educational opportunities. In 2006, Grey Roots had the honour to host the OMA conference. We witnessed first hand the amount of time, energy and good will our OMA staff and volunteers invested into delivering an annual conference.” 

IAN KERR-WILSON, COUNCILLOR 
FIRST YEAR OF A SECOND TWO-YEAR TERM

Ian Kerr-Wilson is the Manager of Museums and Heritage Presentation for the City of Hamilton, having worked in Hamilton’s municipal museum system in various curatorial and management positions since 1989. He has been the Curator of Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology, the Hamilton Children’s Museum, Dundurn National Historic Site (which included the Hamilton Military Museum) and the Program Coordinator for the Hamilton and Scourge National Historic Site, an in situ marine archaeological site. Ian holds a Masters of Museum Studies from the University of Toronto, a M.A. (American History), a B.Ed. from Queen’s University, and a B.A. from Trent University.

”I am conscious of the OMA as a leader in changing the way Ontarians think about museums and culture. Increasingly, we recognize that museums are not 'soft services'. Vibrant and relevant museums are vital to the sustainability of neighbourhoods, towns and cities. I look forward to serving the museum community, as the OMA works to make heritage matter to the people of Ontario.”

EMANUELE LEPRI, COUNCILLOR
FIRST YEAR OF A FIRST TWO-YEAR TERM

Emanuele Lepri, originally from Florence, Italy has been the Director of the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto since 2004. Before coming to Canada he served as Director of the Textile Museum in the Tuscan city of Prato from 1997 to 2003. While in Italy, Emanuele also worked in a management capacity for international theatre and opera festivals, organizing post-graduate classes related to careers in the arts. His experience in the Museum field includes a number of projects under the UNESCO umbrella in countries such as South Korea, China, Israel and Angola, mainly in the area of Heritage Conservation. He has been a member of the European Museum Forum, participating in many exchanges and conferences throughout Europe. Emanuele has an MA in East Asian Studies and a Phd in International Relations from the University of Florence

“Ontario’s social fabric is changing at a very fast pace. Museums need to adapt and keep being relevant to their communities. The OMA plays a key role as a resource for all Museums in Ontario by encouraging innovation, governing change, and finding ways to keep a fruitful dialogue with a public of all backgrounds and ages. I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with my colleagues on the Ontario Museum Association Council and I look forward to contributing to the ongoing progress of our museums.” 

YASMINE MINGAY, COUNCILLOR 
SECOND YEAR OF A SECOND TWO-YEAR TERM

Yasmine is the Manager, Communications for the Canadian War Museum, within the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation where she has worked in various capacities over the past 9 years including as Chief, Media Relations and as Exhibitions Project Manager working for both the Museum of Civilization and Canadian War Museum. Prior to this, Yasmine was based in Montreal as PolyGram Canada’s Marketing and Promotion Representative for Eastern Canada working with and promoting Canadian and international artists. Yasmine has lived in six countries and traveled extensively, she holds a B.A in Political Science and History from McGill University.

“I believe in working collectively to inspire passion for our past, present and future. Museums are essential to understanding where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. The OMA is an essential support system for Museum across Ontario, and I am both honoured and proud to continue working with my fellow council members and the OMA’s dedicated staff in supporting our sector's vibrant and diverse membership”.

MARIA PACIENTE, COUNCILLOR
SECOND YEAR OF A FIRST TWO-YEAR TERM

Maria Piacente is a Vice-President with Lord Cultural Resources, an international museum planning and design firm headquartered in Toronto. For 14 years, Maria has developed an expertise in exhibition development and design while consulting for small and large museums, historic sites, science centers, art galleries, and other cultural organizations. Grounded in current museological theory, Maria's global experience enables her to incorporate both conceptual and curatorial aspects with leading-edge technological applications, ensuring an exciting and enriching visitor experience within operational realities. Maria holds a Master's degree in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto and prior to joining Lord Cultural Resources in 1996, she worked at the Royal Ontario Museum and Gallery Association of New York State.

“All of a museum's activities, whether research and conservation or education and outreach, serve to enrich their communities. As such, the OMA is an essential resource for building excellence in our cultural organizations so that we can do a better job of engaging with the public. I look forward to sharing my experience and working with the other members of the OMA."

2011 Conference Venue and Accommodations

The OMA has negotiated a special rate for OMA Conference delegates and tradeshow exhibitors at the Holiday Inn Kitchener-Waterloo Hotel and Conference Centre, where all November 3rd and 4th Conference sessions will take place (see below for Opening Reception and Awards Banquet locations).

The Holiday Inn Kitchener (Kitchener-Waterloo Hotel and Conference Centre) is located at 30 Fairway Road South in Kitchener, ON

Delegates may either call the Holiday Inn Kitchener's in house reservations at: 1-866-375-8240 or the hotel front desk at: (519) 893-1211

ROOM RATES 

Standard guestrooms: $114.99* 
Business Class Tower Guestrooms: $124.99* 

*Rates are per room per night plus applicable to HST.

The 2011 Conference Opening Reception will take place Wednesday, November 2nd from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the City of Waterloo Museum, Heritage Services, Conestoga Mall (between the Bay & Galaxy Theatre), 550 King Street North, Waterloo, ON - N2J 4A8

The OMA Awards Banquet will take place Thursday, November 3rd from 5:30 to 9:00 PM at the Waterloo Region Museum, 10 Huron Rd., Kitchener, ON - N2P 2R7

2011 Call for Proposals

"INNOVATION ROOTED IN COMMUNITY"

Conference Proposal deadline extended to April 29th, 2011!

Share your experience with the OMA community. Send us a proposal for a presentation idea at the OMA Conference - November 2-4, 2011 in Kitchener-Waterloo. Read and download detailed proposal form here