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Register now to attend the OMA's first virtual conference!
Early Bird Rate Only Available Until September 23!
Save $75 on the Member rate for the Full Conference Price!
This year the Ontario Museum Association Conference is going virtual! With this new format comes new possibilities; the OMA is planning on taking advantage of all a virtual conference can offer.
The OMA 2020 Annual Conference will occur on two Thursdays, October 29 and November 5, and will be accompanied by a webinar series presented on each Tuesday of November.
The OMA Conference program is inspired by the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but will also address the many challenges facing museums during the COVID-19 pandemic and social upheaval that have made 2020 an extraordinary year. We look forward to welcoming delegates from across Ontario this fall to the OMA's first virtual conference.
Conference 2020 will include five sessions, four webinars, two keynote speakers, one panel, two #MuseumsConnectON member check-ins, Awards of Excellence, and much more! Register now to participate in a wide array of events with talented speakers and museum professionals from across the sector!
Read more HERE.
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Ontario Expands Indoor Capacity for Meeting and Event Facilities
The Ontario government is safely reopening more of the economy by easing restrictions for facilities that rent out professional meeting and event spaces. Beginning August 21, 2020, facilities can have up to 50 guests for each indoor meeting room or event space within the facility. The facility would have to adhere to a plan approved by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
"As the province gradually and safely reopens, our government is continuing to promote a safe approach to reopening businesses to boost Ontario's economic and social recovery," said Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. "Allowing for multiple meetings or events will allow convention centres, hotels and other professional meeting facilities to welcome back more visitors and employees."
The current indoor gathering limit will now apply on a per meeting room or event space basis at professional meeting and event facilities, including convention centres, hotels, motels, resorts, banquet halls and conference centres. Outdoor meeting and event facilities remain subject to the 100-person gathering limit for the entire outdoor area. Capacity limits exclude employees or event personnel. Safely allowing these facilities to host more meetings and events is an important step in Ontario's economic recovery.
Read more HERE. |
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Deadline Extension for COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Heritage Organizations – Museums Assistance Program
New Deadline: September 11, 2020
The following organizations with heritage collections are eligible for funding:
- Not-for-profit organizations such as museums, archives, or historic sites (including those that operate seasonally and those without full-time staff);
- Indigenous organizations or official language minority community organizations; and,
- Municipal and university museums with a distinct budget.
To be eligible, applicants must also:
- Provide public access through regular hours of operation (including on a part-time or seasonal basis), and,
- Have had annual expenses in 2019 between $2,000 and $3,000,000.
Read more HERE. |
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U of T OMA Award Recipient Announced!
The OMA has ongoing relationships with many of the Heritage and Museum Studies post-secondary programs in Ontario and we are pleased to have a newly-named OMA award for a graduate of the University of Toronto (U of T) Master of Museum Studies Program.
The Ontario Museum Association & Master of Museum Studies Award - Excellence in Emerging Museum Practice recognizes a student completing the Master of Museum Studies degree at University of Toronto who has been nominated by U of T faculty. This individual has maintained a strong academic record and has demonstrated excellence in one or more areas of emerging museum and heritage practice through research, internship experiences, exhibition and programming work, course work, and/or extra-curricular activities.
We are delighted to profile the 2020 recipient of the Ontario Museum Association & Master of Museum Studies Award - Excellence in Emerging Museum Practice. Congratulations Selin and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors!
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2020 Ontario Museum Association & Master of Museum Studies Award - Excellence in Emerging Museum Practice – Selin Kahramanoğlu
Throughout my studies, I led student clubs, worked as a mentor, volunteered at many cultural institutions, and spent my summers excavating at archaeological sites. Currently, I am completing a contract with the Aurora Historical Society as Assistant Curator, where I am rehousing their archival collection and planning future exhibitions.
As the global situation improves, I hope to find permanent work in collections management, so that I may continue to assist in protecting and sharing community stories. My sincerest thanks to the OMA for the award recognition. As an emerging museum professional, I look forward to contributing more to our field. |
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An Opportunity to Recognize our Esteemed Colleagues
Deadline: Friday, September 25, 2020
Is there someone at your organization who has retired (or will retire) between November 2019 and October 2020?
Last year the OMA started a new tradition of recognizing our colleagues who have retired in the past year at the annual OMA Awards Gala. This year’s awards ceremony will be held online as part of our virtual conference and we look forward to continuing the tradition!
Share the following information with us so that we can honour the contributions that these individuals have made to our dynamic sector.
- Name
- Organization
- Title
- Retirement date
- Photo
- How long they worked in museums and/or at the organization from which they retired
- Some other interesting fact or anecdote about what they achieved in their career
Send submissions to pd@museumsontario.ca
Deadline for submissions: Friday, September 25, 2020
Notes:
• Submissions are welcome to recognize retirees in any role at an organization.
• Retirees do not need to be present at the Virtual Conference to be recognized.
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Certificate in Museum Studies Course: Museums in Historic Buildings (Facilities Managment)
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and risks associated with in-person gatherings, the OMA has cancelled the CMS Museums in Historic Buildings course that was scheduled to take place at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum on November 4-6, 2020.
Everyone currently registered for the course will be contacted individually about registration refunds.
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Resources for Collections Care
Your OMA membership gives you access to all kinds of resources, webinars, promotional opportunities and more! Here are some selected resources available on the OMA website for collections care and management.
Collections Resources for OMA Members:
See all Collections Resources HERE.
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Ontario Regiment Museum in Oshawa reopens with Artificial Intelligence COVID-19 screening
Using the artificial intelligence, which is named Master Corporal Lana, the museum can keep track of visitors for the purpose of contact tracing, as well as to ask those COVID-19-related questions that we are all used to.
The AI even allows it to measure someone’s temperature if they are standing in front of it. In addition to this, it’s also constantly learning — and even has a sense of humour.
Read more from Global News HERE.
More media coverage:
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On Possible Futures
Free two-panel event by Museum Professionals of Colour, Dulcina Abreu, and the International Coalition of Museum Professionals & Communities
Saturday, August 29, 2020
11:30 AM – 4:30 PM EDT
Panel 1
11:30 am EDT
Moderator: Nicole Ivy
Panelists: Syrus Marcus Ware, Armando Perla, Adrienne Gaither, Thiané Diop
Panelists will discuss institutional responses to the Black Lives Matter movement and how they are mobilizing to respond and demand their rights.
Panel 2
3:00 pm EDT
Moderator: Dulcina Abreu
Panelists: Julian Santa Putricia, Chris Udemezue, Christine H. Tran, Yves B. Golden
Panelists will discuss how LGBTQ+ BIPOC folx have created sanctuaries and mutual aid for themselves through online spaces
Read more and register HERE.
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Exhibitions Toolkit
Exhibitions as Public Scholarship
In this toolkit, you will find:
- Examples of exhibitions produced by other Humanities scholars as well as some aspirational ones by industry and community professionals to inspire you.
- Examples of digital exhibitions and the difference between digital and physical installations.
- Resources, programs, and courses on curating exhibitions at UBC and beyond.
- Where exhibitions are displayed at UBC.
- Potential project funding and grants for exhibitions.
- A list of tools and software you can use to build digital exhibits or digital supplementary materials for your physical exhibits.
- Recommended reading on exhibition research, writing, design, and pedagogy.
Read more HERE. |
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Massive Open Online Courses
Free* Courses for Personal and Professional Development - Selection Below Collected by the OMA.
Heritage under Threat
Dr. Sada Mire, Universiteit Leiden
In this course you will learn to articulate your own concepts about (threatened) heritage and that of others. What is your heritage? Who defines heritage? Why is heritage under threat? How can we protect heritage?
To read more or enroll, click HERE.
Indigenous Canada
Dr. Tracy Bear, The University of Alberta
Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations.
To read more or enroll, click HERE.
Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance
Dr. Richard Chambers and Dr. Craig Hassed, Monash University
This course is for anyone, because everyone can benefit from mindfulness. No previous experience of mindfulness is required. We will explain how mindfulness works, but above all this is a practical course. We will ask you to explore different mindfulness techniques and reflect on your experience.
To read more or enroll, click HERE.
*There are fees for certificates, but auditing is free.
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The Path Forward Toolkit: A post-pandemic resource guide for small museums, galleries, visitor centers, and other public spaces
Perch Design Studios
The Path Forward Toolkit is a guide that provides museums, galleries, interpretation centers, and other public-facing institutions with a curated set of resources and recommendations for engaging audiences, building community, and creating digital experiences in the era of COVID-19 and beyond.
Read more HERE.
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Digital Donor Acquisition: Communications Channels, Tips, and Resources That Lead to Fundraising Success
Free Download from CanadaHelps.org
In this CanadaHelps white paper, you’ll learn how to leverage digital marketing to drive new donor awareness, engagement, and increased donations.
Take these actionable steps and start integrating digital marketing into your donor acquisition strategy today.
Find out how to:
- Set goals and strategies to help you build effective donor acquisition programs;
- Optimize your website and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to lead more potential donors to your charity;
- Leverage email marketing to build stronger relationships with your supporters and convert more prospects into donors;
- Engage potential donors and amplify your charity’s online presence using social media; and
- Drive more donations and grow your donor base using Search Engine Marketing, paid ads, and more!
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Webinar: Turning Uncertainty into Bold Action
September 9, 2020
Speakers: Diana Renner and Liz Weaver
Diana Renner, co-author of the books Not Knowing and Not Doing, has learned to navigate uncertainty. Both books debunk the myths about knowledge and the illusion of control and instead, ask readers to pause and reflect, to ask questions and to look around before jumping into action and doing.
In this webinar, Diana Renner will share her thoughts about being at the threshold of change and ambiguity. She will help us shift perspectives from being stuck to move toward paying attention to what is happening around us and building purposeful action through creative and generative questions.
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Museums In the News
Articles for Consideration
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Program Officer
Canada Council for the Arts
As a member of the Creating, Knowing and Sharing: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples team, and under the direct supervision of the Program Manager, the incumbent manages the delivery of grants or funds to Indigenous artists, cultural carriers, arts groups, and/or arts organizations in accordance with established policies and procedures, including Equity policies and priorities.
DEADLINE: August 28, 2020
Read more and apply HERE!
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Registrar/ Head of Collections
Woodstock Art Gallery
The City of Woodstock is a dynamic and growing community of 41,000 located in the heart of southwestern Ontario at the crossroads of highways 401 and 403. A growing community, Woodstock has kept its small-town flavour while offering the types of amenities typically found only in larger cities.
Deadline: August 28, 2020
Read more and apply HERE.
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Assistant Conservator, Time-Based Media
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
The AGO is at a critical and exciting moment of growth and change. We are seeking an Assistant Conservator, Time-Based Media to play a key role in prolonging the physical and aesthetic life of works of art through documentation, preventive care, conservation treatment, research, and education.
Deadline: August 31, 2020
Read more and apply HERE.
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Vice President for Learning & Public Programs
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
This is a newly created position that will unite Learning activity with Public Programs, previously in separate departments. Critical goals of your mandate are the realignment of the school services program for greater relevancy and growth, the revisioning of youth programs to serve a broader audience, and the coordination of public programming across the Museum to create a range of activities that will be engaging and relevant to a diverse public of all ages.
Deadline: August 31, 2020
Read more and apply HERE.
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Programming Coordinator – Contract
Huron County Museum and Historic Gaol
The Huron County Museum and Historic Gaol has a temporary full-time employment opportunity for a Programming Coordinator. This position will be responsible for educational, family and children’s programming at the Huron County Museum and the Huron Historic Gaol.
Deadline: September 4, 2020
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Ontario Museum Jobs
The OMA features job listings from the online submissions received through our website. To submit a listing for an open position at your institution, CLICK HERE! |
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The OMA Welcomes Your Support
If you are already an OMA member, please renew your membership when you receive an email reminder. If you are not a member, please consider joining, either as an institution or an individual. You can find information about member categories and benefits on our website.
Please also consider making a donation to the OMA on our website or through Canada Helps.
Your support of the OMA and your participation in events like this webinar make us stronger as a sector, and we appreciate each and everyone one of you.
An OMA membership connects you with our network of over 1000 members, representing 700 museums, galleries, and heritage sites across the province. In addition, an OMA membership provides you with the latest news via the ONmuseums newsletter, eNews alerts, and COVID-19 resources to mitigate impact for Ontario museums, galleries and heritage sites.
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COVID-19 Resources
The OMA has prepared a dedicated webpage of COVID-19 communications and resources, updated as new information and resources become available.
Read more HERE.
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We're Here to Help!
For all questions or inquiries please contact the OMA: community@museumsontario.ca or call 416-348-8672 / 1-866-662-8672.
Marie G. Lalonde
Executive Director
mlalonde@museumsontario.ca
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