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May is Museum Month
Mai, Mois des Musées
2020
The OMA’s program May is Museum Month/ Mai, mois des musées provides an opportunity to let the whole province know about our 700+ museums, art galleries, and heritage sites, and we need your help!
In 2019, May is Museum Month/ Mai, mois des musées was proclaimed by 14 municipalities and reached 2.4 million people on social media! Let's keep up this momentum in 2020!
Keep an eye on the OMA website HERE for updated initiatives and resources as we approach May!
Here’s how you can participate:a. Municipal Proclamation Requests – Time Sensitive!In 2019, 14 municipalities proclaimed May as Museum Month! Please download our template letter and draft proclamation and submit them to your local mayor (and cc the OMA at community@museumsontario.ca).The OMA will track all the proclamations that are issued and share them with the rest of the province.
Some municipalities require requests be submitted as much as six weeks in advance, so please send your requests as soon as possible.
Download a template letter HERE
Download a draft proclamation HERE
b. Promote & Collaborate with your Regional Tourism Organization
Let them know that May is Museum Month is coming up, as well as any events happening in your network. Download and share the May is Museum Month Wordmark (French and English) HERE.
c. Update Listings and Post on Social Media
Update your museum listings on the Discover Ontario Museums website (how-to guide HERE) and post about events in May using #ONMuseumMonth, #MayisMuseumMonth, #MuseumsConnectON, and #ONpoli
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International Museum Day 2020
May 18
The announced theme for International Museum Day 2020 is Museums for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion.
International Museum Day 2020 aims at becoming a rallying point to both celebrate the diversity of perspectives that make up the communities and personnel of museums, and champion tools for identifying and overcoming bias in what they display and the stories they tell.
Read more and post your events HERE.
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COVID-19 and Ontario Museums
The OMA has collected information and resources regarding the novel coronavirus and its impacts for Ontario museums. These resources are not to be taken as legal advice or a definitive answer for any particular museum, but rather as a guide for preparedness for the field. We encourage members to consult relevant policies & legislation.
If COVID-19 is changing the way your museum works, please reach out to the OMA at community@museumsontario.ca.
Read more in a special eNews Alert HERE.
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Ontario 2020 Budget Being Released March 25
The Government of Ontario will release the province's 2020 Budget on March 25. The Honourable Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance, stated:
"We're restoring balance to the Province's books within a reasonable timeframe, so we can continue making smart investments in frontline services like health care and education, while leaving more money in people's pockets. Our Plan to Build Ontario Together will continue to deliver on our commitments to the people of our province."
Read more HERE.
The OMA will release a special eNews alert when the contents of the Budget become publically available.
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THEMUSEUM Expansion Supported by
$3 Million Purchase by Kitchener City Council
Kitchener City Council announced the $3 million purchase of the Bank of Montreal building adjacent to THEMUSEUM to support THEMUSEUM's planned onsite expansion, to help build arts and culture in the city and build on the more than 100,000 visitors to the site every year.
Read more HERE.
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Diefenbunker Museum Awarded $400,000 Federal Grant
The Diefenbunker Museum, which occupies a Cold War-era military complex in Carp, outside of Ottawa, has received $400,000 in funding from the Canadian Experiences Fund to improve visitor experience and accessibility.
Read more HERE.
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Dr. Paul Korntenaar has been announced as the incoming CEO of the Ontario Science Centre, beginning March 30. Photo by Rudy Gutierrez/ El Paso Times.
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Ontario Science Centre Announces New CEO
Dr. Paul Kortenaar, who served as Director of Education at the Ontario Science Centre (OSC) from 2008-2012, will return to the OSC as Chief Executive Officer on March 30. Dr. Kortenaar has a Ph.D. in Education from York University and is currently Executive Director of the El Paso Children's Museum in El Paso, Texas.
Read more HERE.
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Alberta Budget 2020 Means Changes for Museums
Alberta Budget 2020 will see the budget for the Ministry of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women drop from $218 million this fiscal year (2019-20) to $185 million in 2020-21, partially due to the transition of media grants into a tax credit handled by the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism. - Global News
Changes in funding have resulted in reduced operating hours for 14 museums and heritage sites in the province: “Slightly reducing operating hours during underused times is a strategic move to maintain the fiscal health of our province’s museums,” Danielle Murray, press secretary for the Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women said in a statement. -Global News
Funding for Provincial Heritage Organizations, including the Alberta Museums Association (AMA), will be reduced by 11% for 2020-21, which will have a "definite impact" on the services the AMA offers to its members. -Alberta Museums Association
Read the statement from the Alberta Museums Association HERE.
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Museums Featured in Québec Budget 2020
Québec's government brought forward the province's Budget 2020 on March 10, including funding for museums and culture:
- $457 million fund over five years to promote Québec culture abroad ($35 million over five years supporting cultural organizations and museums)
- $34.8 million over five years to preserve heritage buildings in the regions
- $25 million over five years for science and technology museums
Read more from the Montreal Gazette HERE.
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Funding Available for History and Legacy of Residential Schools
Deadline March 27, 2020 (projects less than $5,000)
Deadline April 9, 2020 (projects $5,001 to $50,000)
The Commemorating the History and Legacy of Residential Schools component of Celebration and Commemoration Program provides grants and contributions to eligible recipients for initiatives that will increase awareness and commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools, and honour residential school survivors, their families and communities.
Projects must be completed by March 31, 2021. Read more HERE.
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Upcoming OMA Dates
March 25-26, 2020, Indigenous Collections Symposium: Mashkawatgong-mamawewiziwin – strengthening our bonds, sharing our practicesCanadian Museum of History. Register for the Webcast HERE. April 8, 2020, Registration Opens: CMS: Artifacts (Course takes place June 17-19, 2020: Canadian War Museum, Ottawa) April 20-22, 2020, Textile Museum of Canada: CMS: Collections Management October 28-30, 2020, Huntsville: Ontario Museum Association Annual Conference 2020. Register HERE.
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