On December 4th and 5th, the OMA Council met with Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Eleanor McMahon, and MPPs and senior staff to discuss the important ways that museums can be supported as outlined in Ontario's Museums 2025: Strategic Vision and Action Plan, a plan for excellence and renewal for the province's museum sector in service of all Ontarians.
On December 14, 2017 the OMA presented to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairsas part of the 2018 pre-budget consultation process. The presentation emphasized the importance of museums in their fundamental role of strengthening dynamic communities and building a prosperous knowledge-based economy.
Key Recommendation for 2018:
An immediate increase of $5M to the Community Museum Operating Grant (CMOG) program.
Member museums identified adequate and sustained funding as their #1 priority. CMOG is a principal source of funding for Ontario museums and has not been increased in 10 years. In the absence of a new funding model and revised programs as identified in the culture strategy, museums have identified an immediate need for additional operational funding, requesting an increase of $5 million for Ontario’s community museums in the 2018 Provincial Budget. This would bring the current Community Museum Operating Grant (CMOG) Program to $10 million in 2018.
The Ontario Culture StrategyGoal 2: Strengthen Culture in Communities calls for "the review and update [of] provincial funding programs for community museums and heritage organizations to build capacity, strengthen leadership and support more diverse organizations". The OMA will work with members to actively engage and collaborate in this review process.
