Funding Update from Canadian Heritage

View January 28th's Technical Briefing slides and a poster and fact sheet for COVID-19 vaccines for children and youth HERE. 
Read O. Reg. 364/20 HERE. 
Find COVID-19 Public Health Measures and Advice HERE. 
Read the full News Release regarding these measures HERE. 

The Museums Assistance Program (MAP) is now accepting applications for the second deadline of the new component – Digital Access to Heritage. The Digital Access to Heritage component provides funding to Indigenous organizations, Canadian museums and museums associations to digitize collections and make them available to the public, develop digital content and build their capacity in these areas. The component also supports the development and delivery of related training, resources and services that benefit multiple museums.

For full details on program eligibility and information on how to apply, please visit the Digital Access to Heritage page HERE.

Application Deadlines 

• March 1, 2022: For projects taking place between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2024
• September 1, 2022: For projects taking place between September 1, 2022, and March 31, 2024

Who Can Apply

The following are eligible (usual MAP criteria apply): Indigenous governing bodies or Indigenous organizations, incorporated non-profit Canadian museums, museums associations or incorporated non-profit Canadian service organizations whose membership relates to the museum sector.

*New eligible applicants: Incorporated non-profit Canadian museums without a permanent physical space

How to Apply
  
NOTE applications are emailed to your project contact, not submitted through the online portal.

For full details on program eligibility and information on how to apply, please visit the Guidelines. Contact your regional office of the Department of Canadian Heritage to discuss your project and request an application package.

Contact Canadian Heritage

This award recognizes volunteers for providing committed and dedicated service to an organization.
Adults are recognized by the length of time they've volunteered with one organization, ranging from five to 65 years of continuous service. Youth (24 years old and under) are recognized for two or more years of continuous service.

Eligibility

Organizations that have been in existence for a minimum of five years may submit a nomination.
Each organization may nominate up to nine volunteers (of which a maximum of 6 nominees may be adults).

The nominee(s) must:

• be living persons residing and volunteering in Ontario
• not have received payment for their volunteer work
• be active beyond simple membership in an organization
• not have performed the services as part of their regular business or professional duties

A youth nominee must:

• be under 24 years old and under
• have volunteered with one organization for at least two consecutive years

An adult nominee must have volunteered with one organization for at least five consecutive years.
Organizations with more than one branch can submit separate nominations for up to nine volunteers for each branch.

Required information

• Nominating organization name, address, email, phone number and year established
• Volunteer first name, last name, address, email, and phone number
• Head of organization (if applicable) first name, last name, email, phone number and position title.

How to nominate someone

1. Gather the required information:
2. Create an account (or sign in for returning users) on the Ontario Honours and Awards Portal.
3. Submit your nomination through the portal.

Canada’s Volunteer Awards recognizes the significant contributions of individual volunteers, non-profit organizations and businesses across the country in helping communities. Nominees can be individuals or groups, businesses, social enterprises or non-profit organizations and must meet specific eligibility criteria. Political and public advocacy work is not eligible.

The call for nominations is now open until March 4, 2022. 

Read more HERE. 

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), one of Canada’s largest art museums, is planning a 55,000-square-foot expansion of its building in downtown Toronto. Dubbed “AGO Global Contemporary,” the proposed expansion would include a six-floor tower rising from the northeast corner of the building to accommodate new galleries for contemporary art. Its estimated budget is $60-million.

The AGO is considering a tower with six floors of new gallery space. These are meant to serve the AGO’s “growing collection of global modern & contemporary art and exhibitions,” said Andrea-Jo Wilson, the gallery’s manager of public relations. The plan is part of a larger strategic vision, Ms. Wilson said. The AGO aims “to lead global conversations from Toronto, through extraordinary collections, exhibitions and programs, by reflecting the people who live here.”

Read more HERE. 

An exhibit at Niagara Military Museum that highlights the role local Black Canadians played in the country’s military history has captured the attention of the nation’s top military museum. The Victoria Avenue museum launched the exhibit in early 2020 and Jim Doherty, museum president, and his wife Kathy then developed a travelling component and an online resource book and presentation featuring in-depth information on the veterans featured in the display. Now, their meticulous research will take pride of place at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

Read more HERE.

The Underground Railroad, the famous network of safe houses and secret routes that helped enslaved people of African descent escape to freedom in Canada, is the subject of the Royal Canadian Mint’s latest issue in its ongoing Commemorating Black History coin series. Launched in conjunction with the start of Black History Month, this silver collector coin designed by Toronto artist Kwame Delfish, portrays in a unique perspective the human side of the perilous northward migration, which reached its peak in the 1850s and 1860s. This moving new collectible is available as of February 1, 2022.

Read more HERE.
View more images HERE. 

The Board of Directors for Museum London has announced Julie Bevan as the new Executive Director at Museum London, effective April 4, 2022. Bevan takes over from Brian Meehan who has served the Museum and community for more than twenty years, following his retirement at the end of March 2022. 

Originally from Niagara, Bevan has held various roles in museums and galleries in Calgary, Vancouver and most recently in Nanaimo, British Columbia. As Executive Director of the Nanaimo Art Gallery, Bevan led a significant transformation of the Gallery's spaces, artistic programs, capacity, and a holistic re-imagining of its identity and purpose.

Read the full News Release HERE. 

Science North in Sudbury has announced Jennifer Booth as its interim CEO. She replaces Guy Labine, who in December announced his departure to become CEO of the Arizona Science Center. Booth will take on the role starting March 7 while a sub-committee of Science North’s board of trustees leads an executive search for a permanent CEO.

Booth has a background in both the public and private sectors and is currently the director of finance for Science North and a member of the senior executive team. She has 12 years of experience within the organization.  

Read more HERE. 

Maureen Lytle, who has served as the Village’s general manager for eight years, recently announced she will be leaving her post on July 1 in order to spend more time with her family, including embracing her role as Grandmother.

Lytle has stated that she wishes to assist with the transition and continue to volunteer with events and the museum activities at the Village. The board of directors could not be more pleased knowing that she won’t be going too far.

Read more HERE. 

The OMA wishes her all the best in this new chapter!

Free Webinar
Monday, February 10, 2022
5:00pm ET

Join Funké Aladejebi as she shares insight into her recently released book, "Schooling The System: A History of Black Women Teachers". Through oral interviews, and lived experiences, Funké will tell the story of black access and education in Ontario from the 1940s to the 1980s, Black women teachers encountered gender barriers, and systemic racism. Funké has empowered these women's voices – those who made such great strides and contributions within the educational system - to be heard. 

Read more and see what else Chatham-Kent has planned for Black History Month HERE. 

Free Webinar
Thursday, February 10, 2022
1:00pm ET

The 50 – 30 Challenge aims to advance gender parity and increase the representation of equity-seeking groups on boards and in senior leadership roles across Canada. More than 1,400 organizations of all sizes in both for profit and non-profit sectors currently support the challenge.

This webinar will explain how organizations in the Nonprofit sector can use the publicly available specification (PAS) and other tools to meet the 50 – 30 Challenge and promote diverse workplaces.

Presenters: Dr. Wendy Cukier and Nancy Mitchell

Read more and register HERE. 

Free Webinar
Friday, February 11, 2022
1:00pm ET

Join the AIC Sustainability Committee as they speak with Kelly Krish, Preventive Conservation Specialist at the Image Permanence Institute about all things energy savings. Kelly has worked extensively at institutions across the country to use energy saving strategies not only to help reach sustainability goals, but also to actually better preserve cultural heritage than traditional methods. She will share takeaways from IPI’s research and her experience in implementing them including best practices for HVACs, microclimates, air flow, lighting, passive storage (and more)! Bring your questions for Kelly or send them ahead of time to aicsustainability@gmail.com.

Register HERE. 

Free Webinar
Saturday, February 12, 2022
2:00pm - 4:30pm ET

For Black History Month BAND and UPLift Black Arts have partnered to present an exhibition focusing on Black military history in Canada. This talk will focus on the importance of documentation and archives, and will examine the process of record keeping and the connecting history to the present.

Military stories of heroism are remembered and commemorated with medals or written about in textbooks, but many stories of the Black men and women who have served have been forgotten. This exhibition puts a spotlight on Black military contributions. Sharing these stories and portraits is part of the greater struggle to challenge dominant Euro-Canadian historical national narratives. In stories like these, we can see the kind of racism that shapes memory, that leads to unheard and forgotten histories.

Guest speakers include: Assistant Professor Dr. Cheryl Thompson and Historian, Janie Cooper Wilson, with performances from Gwyn Beaver and Alex Showdra.

Read more and register HERE. 

Free Webinar
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
3:30pm - 4:15 ET

Indigenous data sovereignty is the principle that Indigenous peoples have the right to ownership and access of their data no matter where it is stored or who claims ownership of the information. Yet, due to issues with Canadian copyright and power imbalances in cultural heritage institutions, many Indigenous peoples are denied the right to both protect and access their own data. This session explores through the use of Cree principles and laws wahkohtowin, miyo-wîcêhtowin, and keeoukaywin, how we can begin to interact differently with data and learn to kisâkihitin data.

Presenter: Kayla Lar-Son, Indigenous Programs & Services Librarian

Register HERE. 

Virtual Workshop
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
1:00pm - 4:30pm ET

This interactive virtual workshop focuses on the core leadership competency of trust-building. Collaborative success requires the engagement and commitment of partners to the common cause. Lack of trust can take collaborative efforts off track. But little attention is paid to actions that build trust, create connections and deal with mistrust. Participants in the workshop will walk away with ideas, tools and approaches to effectively engage diverse community partners and intentionally build trusting relationships and collaborative impact. Come prepared to share your experiences and insights on how to build trust.

Workshop Facilitator: Liz Weaver, Co-CEO of Tamarack Institute

Read more and register HERE. 

Webinar
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
1:00pm - 3:30pm ET

Risk management is a critical function of nonprofit organizations. In this fast-paced webinar, Omer Livvarcin and Rick Nason, co-authors of the book “Risk Management for Non-Profit Organizations” (published by Business Expert Press) will discuss the key principles of effective risk management that are specific to the nonprofit organizations. In particular they will introduce several new paradigms and frameworks for assessing risk and implementing risk management practices.

Speakers: Omer Livvarcin and Rick Nason

Register HERE. 

Interpretation Canada’s 2022 National Conference (in-person) explores the connection between interpretation and storytelling through presentation and discussions on this broad topic. Interpretation Canada is looking for conference sessions that help to explore this topic, offer case studies, share research findings, or challenge people to experience new ways of perceiving the science and art of storytelling. 

Proposals are due by March 18, 2022.

The conference will take place October 3–7, 2022 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Read more HERE. 

Whether you’re underemployed, unemployed, or looking to change careers, LinkedIn Learning can help you upskill quickly and get new micro-credentials on your resume and LinkedIn Profile. Join to start your next career adventure.

Read more HERE. 

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Day is an international event recognized yearly on February 29. Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) refers to a category of injuries involving damage to muscles, tendons and nerves caused by overuse or misuse. It has expanded from a single day in February to a weekly webinar series. All webinars are free, but registration is required. 

• February 10, 2022: Muskuloskeletal Disorders
• February 17, 2022: Integrating Components for a Return-to-Work Program
• February 24, 2022: Ergonomics for Specific Occupations
• February 28, 2022: Ergonomic Prevention Tools

Read more and register HERE. 

Updated provincial testing guidance and strategy:

Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) can be used for testing people who are symptomatic in accordance with COVID-19 Integrated Testing & Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Interim Guidance: Omicron Surge.

Individuals with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should be presumed positive, and they and their household members should isolate in accordance with guidance.

Routine screening of asymptomatic people without known exposure using RATs continues to be supported through guidance, however, given limited supply, organizations should prioritize the use of RATs for symptomatic use. Symptomatic employees should not visit their workplace to access RATs.

Rapid Antigen Test (RATs) supply and distribution:

Publicly funded PCR tests are being reserved for those at greatest risk of severe outcomes and those living and working in highest risk settings.

When RATs become available for additional sectors, Provincial Antigen Screening Program (PASP) orders from businesses that have been on hold and not processed over the last several weeks will be filled first to clear the current backlog. For Chambers of Commerce and industry (including Tourism & Hospitality, Culture and Sport & Recreation sectors), this is anticipated to begin the week of January 31. 

Please refer to the Ontario Together Portal for information on the Provincial Antigen Screening Program and how to apply for RATs.

Indoor areas of museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions are listed as types of organizations that may elect to require patrons to provide proof of identification and of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Please refer to the Guidance for Businesses and Organizations for more information.

Mandatory proof of vaccination requirements:

It is mandatory to use the enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code to gain access to settings that require proof of vaccination. Businesses are also required to verify the certificate using the free Verify Ontario app. Note that businesses and organizations no longer need to collect information for case and contact management.

Review O. Reg. 364/20: Rules for Areas at Step 3 and at the Roadmap Exit Step.

Exclusions to the use of mandatory enhanced vaccine certificates:

There are two exclusions to the use of mandatory enhanced vaccination certificates in Ontario:

• Nine First Nations communities
  • Community Members of nine First Nations can continue to use their original paper or electronic proof of vaccination along with identification where proof of vaccination is required. This exclusion reflects the Province’s commitment to respecting Indigenous data sovereignty and decisions made by these communities.
• International visitors to Ontario who do not have a scannable QR code.
  • Visitors to Ontario from outside of Canada who do not have a QR code that can be scanned by the Verify Ontario app must show their international vaccine receipts for visual verification of their proof of vaccination along with a valid non-Canadian passport or valid NEXUS card as ID.
  • Please note that this is an interim measure until visitors from outside of Canada can be assigned a temporary traveller’s QR code via the Federal government upon their entry to Canada.

Enhancing proof of medical exemptions:

Ontario started a new process to provide an enhanced COVID-19 vaccine certificate with QR code for individuals who have an eligible medical exemption or who are participating in an active Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial. This new process will help combat fraud, offer greater protection of personal health information, and ease burden on businesses.

As of January 10, 2022, organizations and businesses can no longer accept physician notes or documentation stating an individual has a vaccine medical exemption or is a participant in an active clinical trial as valid exemptions for entry.

The Verify Ontario app has been updated to read and assess their exemption and will return the same green, yellow or red screen that you see when scanning regular vaccine certificates with QR codes. Medical exemptions issued outside of Ontario are not eligible for an enhanced vaccine certificate. Individuals are recommended to see an Ontario physician or registered nurse in the extended class to have their exemption reviewed and submitted through the Ontario process.

As museums across Ontario face the challenges of reopening safely and renewing relationships with your communities, the OMA is here for you. The OMA successfully advocated for federal emergency support funding through the Museums Assistance Program, the early and streamlined release of Community Museum Operating Grant (CMOG) funds in 2020 and 2021, and for an additional $2 million to support digital activities during pandemic closures. Your support, participation, and membership make our work possible.

Representing the interests of over 700 museums, galleries, and heritage sites across the province, the OMA offers regular webinars and professional development opportunities and resources for pandemic recovery. An OMA membership connects you with our network of over 1000 members, provides you with the tools and resources that support your professional practice, and keeps you informed of breaking news about funding opportunities and policy changes via the ONmuseums weekly newsletter and timely eNews alerts.

If you are already an OMA member, thank you! Please renew your membership when you receive an email reminder.

If you are not yet a member, please consider an individual, institutional, or commercial membership for yourself, your colleagues, or your institution. You can find information about member categories and benefits on our website.

You can make a donation to the OMA on our website or through Canada Helps. Every contribution adds to the collective strength of our sector. You can help us build a more resilient museum sector. Thank you for your support!