Strong & Successful Museums The Road To Renewal Kingston, Ontario | October 11-13, 2017
Presented by
Ontario Museum Association Annual Conference Ontario Museum Association Conference 2017 Partners & Committees
Conference Program Committee Paul Robertson, Conference Chair & City Curator, City of Kingston Alicia Boutilier, Chief Curator / Curator of Canadian Historical Art, Agnes Etherington Art Centre at Queen’s University Michael Rikley-Lancaster, Executive Director/Curator, Mississippi Valley Textile Museum Pamela Peacock, Former Coordinator of Eastern Ontario Sites, Ontario Heritage Trust John Summers, Manager, Heritage Services and Curator, Halton Region Dave St. Onge, Curator/Historian, Canada’s Penitentiary Museum Henriette Riegel, Former Executive Director, Diefenbunker Museum Elisabeth Boekhoven, Emerging Museum Professional Conference Co-Chair Amy Cowie, Research Assistant, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (until May 2017) eartha, Mohawk Community Member, Kingston
Local Arrangements Committee Kingston Association of Museums, Art Galleries and Historic Sites (KAM) Karen Pagratis, Local Arrangement Chair & KAM Board Member (to July 2017) Caroline Petznick, Managing Director, KAM Debbie Holdich, Coordinator, KAM Alex McLean, Curator & Program Support Officer, Fort Henry – National Historic Site Doug Cowie, Museum Manager, Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston Heather Home, Public Services & Private Records Archivist, Queen’s Archives JoAnne Himmelman, Curator, Lennox & Addington County Museum and Archives Keely Maddock, Program Coordinator, Cultural Services – City of Kingston Lena Beliveau, Curator, Royal Military College Robyn Paine, Heritage Interpreter, Bellevue House – National Historic Site Tabitha Renaud, Kingston Historical Society Darragh De Groot, Community Exhibitions Coordinator, KAM
Ontario Museum Association Secretariat 2017 Marie Lalonde, Executive Director Mary Collier, Professional Development Manager (on maternity leave) Bep Schippers, Professional Development Manager (Mary Collier maternity leave) Joshua Lichty, Special Projects & Communications Coordinator (to July 2017) Alina Cheng, Conference Coordinator (as of July 2017) Caitlin Lapeña, Membership & Administration Coordinator Rhiannon Myers, Project Coordinator Rachel Wong, Diversity and Inclusion Project Assistant Temma Pinkofsky, Inclusive Leadership Project Assistant Breanna Stephenson, Professional Development and Conference Intern Stephanie Sukhareva, Public Support Initiative Assistant Michela Comparey, Conference Assistant Jennifer Lyn, Award Winning Volunteer
PAGE 1 The Ontario Museum Association (OMA) and Kingston Association of Museums, Art Galleries, and Historic Sites (KAM) welcomes Conference 2017 delegates to Kingston for the 2017 OMA Conference, Strong & Successful Museums: The Road to Renewal. This year’s conference theme of RENEWAL will direct museums towards the future in a practical way. From operating models to smarter partnerships and collaboration, this year’s conference will inspire and provide delegates with practical ways to implement small changes for big impact! We will also celebrate and reflect on the OMA’s 45th anniversary and Ontario’s and Canada’s sesquicentennial!
From Rembrandts to military fortifications, and world class cultural venues, you will discover an array of attractions and activities ideally suited to compliment the 2017 Ontario Museum Association Conference program. At the gateway of the 1000 Islands and the UNESCO-designated Rideau Canal, Kingston is a city rich in history and culture and home to a vibrant arts, food and maker community. This year’s Opening Reception will bring you aboard the world famous Thousand Islands Cruise where conference delegates will experience Kingston’s natural landscape from the water while networking with museum and heritage professionals from across Ontario and Canada.
Kingston is Canada’s Museum Capital, with the most museums, art galleries and historic sites per capita. It’s known as the “Limestone City” for its grand 19th-century buildings, including the lakeside Kingston City Hall. At the 2017 OMA Conference, delegates will have the opportunity to explore Kingston and learn from the multiple museums that will provide immersive experiences and educating case studies on our Pre-Conference Study Tours. Welcome to Kingston!
Come Explore, Learn, and Renew at #OMAConf2017!
Thank-You to our Partners
PAGE 2 Ontario Museum Association Conference 2017 See & Do More at Conference! Wednesday, October 11, 2017
9:00am - 4:30pm: CAPITAL RENEWAL Study Tour Visit sites that have undergone recent capital renewal projects or are exploring new partnerships!
9:00am - 4:00pm: Study Tour: OFF THE RECORD Museums will speak candidly about their struggles and renewals that led to successes!
5:00pm - 7:30pm: Opening Reception 1000 Islands Cruise Thank-you! Cruise Leaves from 1 Brock St, Kingston - 5 minute walk from hotel Opening Reception included in all FULL Registrations
Thursday, October 12, 2017
5:00pm - 6:00pm: Reception with Exhibitors
6:00pm - 9:00pm: OMA Awards of Excellence Gala
9:00pm - 11:30pm: Ontario/Canada 150+ Trivia Night!
Be sure to indicate your interest when you register for conference!
Updated Information Posted at: members.museumsontario.ca/programs-events/conference/2017activities
PAGE 3 Ontario Museum Association Conference 2017 Getting to Conference
Conference Delegates get 10% off with VIA Rail Canada!
Online booking tips: You have to log in to your profile, or create one prior to booking. On the Passenger information screen, select “Convention fare” from the “Discount Type” drop-down menu, and enter the discount code: 13537. Includes: Economy & Plus, Business & Plus and Sleeper class.
Kingston Train Station is a 15 minute drive from the Conference Hotel.
Carpool with Colleagues
Interested in carpooling? If you can drive others or need a ride to Kingston for Conference, use the OMA members only forum to post information: members.museumsontario.ca/resources/forum/carpool-oma- conference-2017. Park at the Conference Hotel at the reduced rate of $8.00/day from October 10 - 13, 2017. Also feel free to post on the OMA Listserv: [email protected]
Flights to Kingston
Toronto to Kingston and back! Kingston Airport is serviced by Air Canada with seven flights a day between Kingston and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
Kingston Airport is a 15 minute drive from the Conference Hotel. Accommodations
The Conference Hotel is Four Points by Sheraton - Kingston.
285 King St. E., Kingston, ON K7L 3B1
Hotel Parking: $8/day. Reserve Rooms Online at: tiny.cc/OMAbooking or call: 1-888-627-8622*
*An additional block of rooms has been made at the Ambassador Hotel. Please visit https://members.museumsontario.ca/programs-events/confer- ence/hotel2017 for more information.
PAGE 4 Ontario Museum Association Conference 2017 Schedule at a Glance
Wednesday, October 11, 2017 9:00am - 4:30pm Pre-Conference Study Tours Depart From Four Points Lobby
5:00pm - 7:30pm Opening Reception - 1000 Islands Cruise Thank-you!
Thursday, October 12, 2017 8:00am - 6:00pm Conference Registration Limestone Foyer 8:00am - 6:00pm EXPO Open Limestone Foyer & Gibraltar Room 9:00am - 9:45am Conference Opening Limestone City Ballroom OPENING KEYNOTE Limestone City Ballroom 9:45am - 10:30am Dr. Guy Berthiaume, Librarian and Archivist of Canada 10:30am - 11:00am Networking Break with Exhibitors Room 1: A Model of Collaboration: The Kingston Association of Museums, xxxxxxxxArt Galleries and Historic Sites (KAM) (30 minutes) Room 1: Building on Community Partnerships: Expanding the Horizons at 11:00am - 12:00pm xxxxxxxxLang Pioneer Village Museum (30 minutes) Room 2: In Our Own Words: Exploring Collaborations (30 minutes) Room 2: Gamification: Bringing New Things to Old Places (30 minutes) Workshop: Approaches to Measuring Social Cultural Impacts of Museums
12:00pm - 1:00pm Lunch Old Stones Room Thank you! (Not-for-Profit Martyrs: Avoiding the Workaholic Trap) IGNITE Limestone City Ballroom • Engaging Young Adult Visitors Without a Hashtag 1:00pm - 1:30pm • A Passport to History • Community and Self Representation • Hacking the Museum: Collections Data as Opportunity • Made “By Hand”: An Innovative Partnership of Art & Heritage Room 1: Pedal to the Metal: The Drive to Stay Open and Relevant (30 minutes) Room 1: Touchdown! Successful Partnership Between the Aurora Museum & Archives and 1:30pm - 2:30pm xxxxxxxxthe Aurora Sports Hall of Fame (30 minutes) Room 2: Dead Men Do Tell Tales: Where Heritage and Theatre Meet Workshop: First Peoples Inclusion in All Things Museum 2:30pm - 3:00pm Networking Break with Exhibitors AFTERNOON KEYNOTE Limestone City Ballroom 3:00pm - 3:30pm Glen Shackleton, Founder/CEO, Haunted Walks Inc. An Update from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport 3:30pm - 4:00pm Kevin Finnerty, Assistant Deputy Minister Limestone City Ballroom 5:00pm - 6:00pm Reception with Exhibitors Limestone Foyer 6:00pm - 9:00pm Awards of Excellence Gala Limestone City Ballroom 9:00pm - 11:30pm Ontario/Canada 150+ Trivia Night! Limestone City Ballroom
PAGE 5 Ontario Museum Association Conference 2017 Schedule at a Glance
Friday, October 13, 2017 8:00am - 4:00pm Conference Registration Limestone Foyer
8:00am - 4:00pm EXPO Open Limestone Foyer & Gibraltar Room
8:00am - 9:00am Ontario Museum Association AGM Breakfast Limestone City Ballroom OPENING KEYNOTE Limestone City Ballroom 9:00am - 9:45am Elizabeth Merritt, Founding Director, Center for the Future of Museums Room 1: Bring an Object, Share a Story, Make a Connection: xxxxxxxxFostering Community Through Material Heritage 9:45am - 10:15am Room 2: So Long and Thanks For All The Fish: Museum Futures Room 3: OBJECTivity: An Unbiased Approach to Acquiring Artefacts
10:15am - 10:45am Networking Break with Exhibitors Thank you!
Room 1: Museums and Community Hubs: Partnerships in Cultural Innovation 10:45am - 11:45am Room 2: Case Studies in Working Through Non-Traditional Exhibits Workshop: Hacking Immersive Digital Content for Museums
11:45am - 12:45pm Lunch (Doors Open + Culture Days Pop-up Session) Old Stones Room
Room 1: Indigenous Collections: Promising Practices & Next Steps 12:45pm - 1:30pm Room 2: Art of Sustainable Energy Workshop: A Fresh Approach to Meeting Conservation Standards
Room 1: An Update for Museums from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Sport Room 2: Finding Relevance Through Branding & Community Engagement 1:30pm - 2:30pm Workshop: Re-Think! A Workshop Exploring New Ways of Looking at Your Collections xxxxxxxxxxand Turning Them Into Exhibits (30 participants maximum)
2:30pm - 3:00pm ICE CREAM Break with Exhibitors Thank-you!
Room 1: Ontario Museums and Cultural Diplomacy Room 2: Beyond Classrooms Kingston: How Teachers Are Using Museums and 3:00pm - 4:00pm xxxxxxxxCommunity Sites as a Catalyst for Inquiry-Based Learning (30 minutes) Room 2: Handing Over Your Museum to a 13 Year Old (30 minutes) Workshop: Fundraising: Whose Job is it Anyways?
4:00pm - 4:30pm Conference Closing & 2018 Announcement Limestone City Ballroom
Subject to Change
PAGE 6 Ontario Museum Association Conference 2017 Conference Floorplan & EXPO PAGE 7 Exhibitors: Museum Services, Supplies & Exhibits
1: Armstrong Fine Art Services Ltd. 2: Carr McLean 3: Friesens 4: MINISIS Inc. 5: Augmented Marketing 6: ArtsBuild Ontario 7: Tri-City Retail Systems 8: Andornot Consulting 9: Sherbrooke Museum of Nature and Science 10: Public Services Health & Safety Association 11: Canadian Museum of History / Canadian War Museum 12: Hunter Expositions / MBA Design 13: PACART 14: Marsh Canada Limited 15: Bank of Canada Museum 16: Canadian Museum of Nature 17: Ingenium – Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation 18: Royal Ontario Museum 19/20: TOTAL Fine Arts
#OMACONF2017
Join the Conversation! Twitter: @museumsontario Facebook: /museumsontario Instagram: @museumsontario YouTube: /museumsontario
PAGE 8 Ontario Museum Association Conference 2017 Keynote Speakers
Dr. Guy Berthiaume Librarian & Archivist of Canada Library and Archives Canada Thursday, October 12, 2017 9:45am - 10:30am Limestone City Ballroom
Dr. Guy Berthiaume assumed the position of Librarian and Archivist of Canada on June 23, 2014. Prior to joining Library and Archives Canada, he was the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec between 2009 and 2014, following a 30 year career in academia. Dr. Berthiaume holds a Doctorate in History.
In addition to serving as a professor of Ancient History at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), he held administrative positions focusing on research and university development. Previous roles include Vice-President, Development and Public Affairs, Université de Montréal, and Vice-President, Research and Creation, UQAM.
PAGE 9 Elizabeth Merritt Vice President, Strategic Foresight and Founding Director, Center for the Future of Museums American Alliance of Museums
Friday, October 13, 2017 9:00am - 9:45am Limestone City Ballroom
Believing that museums can change the world, Elizabeth Merritt is devoted to helping museums create a brighter future for their communities. As founding director of the American Alliance of Museums’ Center for the Future of Museums, she applies the tools of strategic foresight to the nonprofit realm. Ms. Merritt conducts trends forecasting and scenario development for museums, sharing her work through publications, social media and presentations. She is the author of CFM’s annual TrendsWatch report and produces the weekly e-newsletter Dispatches from the Future of Museums. She frequently keynotes at conferences in the US and abroad. In recent years, her work has expanded to encompass libraries, orchestras and opera as well. Elizabeth earned has her B.S. from Yale and an M.A. in cell and molecular biology from Duke University, as well as training in futures studies at the University of Houston. Glen Shackleton Founder/CEO Haunted Walks Inc.
Thursday, October 12, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm Limestone City Ballroom
Glen Shackleton is the owner and founder of Haunted Walks Inc. What started as a summer job has grown over 23 years into Canada’s largest walking tour company with close to 100 extraordinary tour guides across Kingston, Ottawa and Toronto. In 2016, Glen and his team were the recipients of the Ontario Tourism Employer of the Year award for their innovative hiring and HR practices. Glen also works with many cultural institutions and historic sites to create unique and memorable programming, provide training and staff development, and offer a unique perspective on interacting and connecting with the public. PAGE 10 Thursday, October 12, 2017
8:00am - 4:00pm Conference Registration Limestone Foyer 8:00am - 6:00pm EXPO Open Limestone Foyer & Gibraltar Room 9:00am - 9:45am Conference Opening Limestone City Ballroom 9:45am - 10:30am KEYNOTE: Dr. Guy Berthiaume, Librarian and Archivist of Canada 10:30am - 11:00am Networking Break with Exhibitors
Room 1: A Model of Collaboration: The Kingston Association of xxxxxxxMuseums, Art Galleries and Historic Sites (30 minutes)
Speaker: Tabitha Renaud, Kingston Association of Museums, Art Galleries, and Historic Sites (KAM)
The Kingston Association of Museums, Art Galleries and Historic Sites (KAM) is an alliance of over 30 sites in the Kingston area that collaborates in a number of exciting ways to benefit its members and the wider community. Using KAM as a model, this presentation will outline how networks of museums can successfully work together towards mutually beneficial goals in a number of areas such as marketing, programming, community engagement, professional development, advocacy and special projects.
Room 1: Building on Community Partnerships: Expanding the xxxxxxxHorizons at Lang Pioneer Village Museum (30 minutes)
Speakers: Laurie Siblock & Elizabeth King, Lang Pioneer Village Museum 11:00am - 12:00pm This session will focus on three areas in which Lang Pioneer Village Museum has been able to extend its programming and broaden its audience appeal through partnerships with the local community. The development of the Museum’s First Nations on-site encampment and interpretation, the restoration and development of its Jacquard loom exhibit and interpretive centre and the construction of a new, multi-purpose agricultural heritage building have all been achieved through the fostering of community partnerships.
Room 2: In Our Own Words: Exploring Collaborations (30 minutes)
Speakers: Janet Reid & Lindsay Bontoft, Markham Museum
The project explored local history from the mid-19th century through to today captured in personal writings in traditional diaries and via social media platforms. Five diaries from the Province of Ontario and five more from our collection were brought together. Through genealogical research we were able to get in touch with the descendants of these early settlers and we also reached out to newer residents to share details about living in Markham today.
PAGE 11 Room 2: Gamification: Bringing New Things to Old Places xxxxxxx(30 minutes)
Speakers: Melissa Eapen & Mark Nardi, Improbable Escapes
This session is intended to discuss the potential of gamification in historic sites and museums as a non-traditional and innovative use of museum and historic site space. Gamification offers a means of reinvigorating exhibits, revitalizing historic narratives, and drawing new demographics into historic programming. By discussing our experiences with historic gamification, we hope to share our techniques, research, and lessons. Cont.
11:00am - 12:00pm Workshop: Approaches to Measuring Social Cultural Impacts of xxxxxxxxxMuseums
Speakers: Negin Zebarjad, Nordicity
This workshop will present approaches to developing consistent, compelling, evidence- based impact narratives to help museums and their stakeholders better understand the cultural and social benefits of their programs. We will draw on Nordicity’s work with clients in the culture sector, as well as prevailing methodologies to explore opportunities for capacity building at every stage of the impact measurement process, making sense of the results.
Thank you! 12:00pm - 1:00pm Lunch (Not-for-Profit Martyrs: Avoiding the Workaholic Trap - Jenny Mitchell, Chavender)
Engaging Young Adult Visitors Without a Hashtag
Speakers: Jocelyn Kent, City of Toronto Historic Sites Stephanie Sukhareva, Student, Master of Museum Studies, University of Toronto
Drawing on scholarship, case studies, and experience, this session will examine the current opportunities and challenges of attracting and engaging young audiences. The session will also provide some ideas and thoughts regarding potential audience development and programming opportunities for museums. 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Limestone City Ballroom A Passport to History
Speaker: Jessica Chase, Museums of Prince Edward County
Last year, the Museums of Prince Edward County developed a passport program that was designed to encourage visitors to explore the County’s heritage as fully as possible. The focus of this presentation will be on the development of the passport, how it succeeded and what could be improved.
PAGE 12 Thursday, October 12, 2017
Community and Self Representation
Speaker: Stuart Keeler, Museums of Mississauga
The Story of M is an innovative multi-pronged resident driven storytelling tool for Culture and Heritage departments in the City of Mississauga. Modeled as a socially based art project for engagement in public space, the 3 year project is designed with the goal of city building, social connection and sharing to achieve the outcome of establishing core historical and modern thematics to drive arts & cultural direction for a meaningful and questioning perspective. Cont. Hacking the Museum: Collections Data as Opportunity
Speaker: Erin Canning, Student, Master of Museum Studies & Master of Information xxxxxxxx(CRO) University of Toronto
This presentation intends to introduce museum professionals to the concept of “hackathons” in the museum context. I will conceptually reposition the collection as data, and describe 1:00pm - 1:30pm incentives for museum professionals to host hacks at their own institutions. I will cover examples of museums providing their own data sets for hacking opportunities, as well as the Limestone City value in using your institution as a host location for larger cultural data hacks. Ballroom Made “By Hand”: An Innovative Partnership of Art & Heritage
Speaker: Kate Butler, Haliburton Highlands Museum
In 2015, the Haliburton Highlands Museum and the Rails End Gallery partnered with artist Elinor Whidden for a show over a year in the making. Entitled “By Hand”, it juxtaposed the labours of early Ontario settlers facing a hard scrabble existence on the edge of the Canadian Shield with our modern “throwaway” society focused on electronics and technology.
Room 1: Pedal to the Metal: The Drive to Stay Open and Relevant xxxxxxx(30 minutes)
Speaker: Megan Meloche, Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village
Using the Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village (CTMHV) as a case study, this session aims to explore various ways a small but dedicated group of individuals can make huge steps in transforming an institution. This session will look at the different and innovative ways the museum has used to rebrand and strengthen community support, develop new sponsorship campaigns and focus on becoming a hub for history for the region. 1:30pm - 2:30pm Room 1: Touchdown! Successful Partnership Between the Aurora xxxxxxxMuseum & Archives and the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame xxxxxxx(30 minutes)
Speakers: Shawna White, Aurora Museum & Archives xxxxxxxx Nancy Black, Aurora Sports Hall of Fame
A successful partnership has developed between the Aurora Museum & Archives and the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame which has culminated in a vibrant and engaging space for celebrating the legacy of sport in Aurora. Both faced incredible spatial and accessibility restrictions, so this partnership has brought new museum quality exhibits a new space while maximizing the potential for both institutions to showcase local sport heritage.
PAGE 13 Room 2: Dead Men Do Tell Tales: Where Heritage and xxxxxxxTheatre Meet
Speakers: Dr. Amy Barron, Scugog Shores Museums xxxxxx Carey Nicholson, Theatre 3x60
In the summer of 2017, the Lake Scugog Historical Society (LSHS) partnered with Theatre 3x60 to take their already successful cemetery walking tours to a new level. They wanted to increase community engagement by creating theatrical vignettes to tell the stories of those buried in the historic Pine Grove Cemetery. This collaborative partnership between historical society and theatrical company brought together two exciting facets of the arts Cont. and culture of our local community.
1:30pm - 2:30pm Workshop: First Peoples Inclusion in All Things Museum
Speakers: Dr. Terri-Lynn Brennan & Dr. Jennifer Campbell, City of Kingston Hugh Ostrom, Parks Canada
In September 2016, the City of Kingston initiated a 21-month project entitled Engage for Change: a Reconciliation Journey to support local youth, newcomers, seniors, business leaders and diverse community members with an opportunity to build their awareness and knowledge about First Peoples histories, stories and identities. The Engage for Change project is multi-faceted in its offering of a student curricular program, various public dance/ musical performance engagements, and a Talking Circle program that partners with 10 diverse community agencies.
2:30pm - 3:00pm Networking Break with Exhibitors 3:00pm - 3:30pm KEYNOTE: Glen Shackleton, Haunted Walks Inc. Limestone City Ballroom An Update from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport 3:30pm - 4:00pm Kevin Finnerty, Assistant Deputy Minister Limestone City Ballroom 5:00pm - 6:00pm Reception with Exhibitors Limestone Foyer 6:00pm - 9:00pm Awards of Excellence Gala Limestone City Ballroom 9:00pm - 11:30pm Ontario/Canada 150+ Trivia Night! Limestone City Ballroom
PAGE 14 Friday, October 13, 2017
8:00am - 3:00pm Conference Registration Limestone Foyer 8:00am - 4:00pm EXPO Open Limestone Foyer & Gibraltar Room 8:00am - 9:00am OMA Annual General Meeting Limestone City Ballroom KEYNOTE - Elizabeth Merritt 9:00am - 9:45am Vice President, Strategic Foresight & Founding Director, Center for the Future of Museums, American Alliance of Museums Limestone City Ballroom
Room 1: Bring an Object, Share a Story, Make a Connection: xxxxxxxFostering Community Through Material Heritage
Speakers: Maeghan Jerry & Emily Meikle, Faculty of Information, University of Toronto.
This session will offer attendees the opportunity to take part in and reflect on a sample storytelling session based on the model developed by the SSHRC-funded Show, Tell, Bridge project. The model and discussion will focus on the use of object-centred storytelling groups to promote engagement with material heritage collections and build bridges among individuals to foster community.
Room 2: So Long and Thanks for All the Fish: xxxxxxxExploring Museum Futures
Speakers: Lindsay Marlies Small, University of Toronto xxxxxxxMary Kate Whibbs, Toronto Zoo
This panel presents emerging research on diversifying museological practices. This session 9:45am - 10:15am brings together these two disparate spheres in order to re-frame institutional practice and envisions ways to grow, change and renew preconceived notions. This panel investigates how aquarium and zoo practices can speak to the challenges of heritage sites in outer space and how the emerging need for protection of heritage objects in outer space can illuminate challenges faced by institutions on Earth. These case studies contribute to a larger conversation about the role of best practices and ethical decision making across institutions in an effort to bring different types of museums together to re - envision museological practice.
Room 3: OBJECTivity: An Unbiased Approach to Acquiring xxxxxxxArtefacts
Speaker: Darren Levstek, City of Ottawa Museums
Most museums share a common problem: how to manage the collection when objects are acquired without clearly defined criteria or plans. Decisions to acquire artefacts are often made based on unclear direction, personal preferences, community pressures and random opportunities. This problem can lead to incoherent collections that do little to support the museum’s mandate. Worse yet, the acquisitions may serve to undermine the value of the collection as a whole.
10:15am - 10:45am Networking Break with Exhibitors Thank-you!
PAGE 15 Room 1: Museums and Community Hubs: Partnerships in Cultural xxxxxxxInnovation
Speakers: Dr. Elka Weinstein, Canadian Heritage xxxxxxxJohn Summers, Heritage Services, Regional Municipality of Halton xxxxxxxCarolyn Cross, Oakville Museums xxxxxxxCathy Molloy, Markham Museum
Our panel discussion will explain how museums can draw on the current trend towards creating Community Hubs as catalysts for innovative partnerships. We will examine the synergy created by social, entrepreneurial, and cultural organizations working together in hub spaces, and how museums can tap into that creative energy.
Room 2: Case Studies in Working Through Non-Traditional xxxxxxxExhibits
Speakers: Meredith Leonard, Claire Bennett & Megan Wiles 10:45am - 11:45am xxxxxxxHeritage Services, Regional Municipality of Halton
This session is designed to explore the steps in developing exhibitions in and for non- traditional spaces including libraries, government buildings, malls and historical societies. We hope that this presentation will reveal the important role these projects have for building community partnerships and expanding the reach of museums beyond their own walls.
Workshop: Hacking Immersive Digital Content for Museums
Speaker: Julian Kingston, Oakville Museum
In this workshop you will learn to use simple, relatively inexpensive tools to create interactive, immersive experiences that expand the reach of your museum far beyond its walls. Use 360 video to take visitors into spaces that the guided tour doesn’t usually go. Help people, who wouldn’t be able to visit you, explore your local landscapes and historic built environment. Even try your hand at 3D object creation for virtual reality and other applications. Be prepared to bring your smartphone and roll up your sleeves and produce engaging content in the workshop!
Lunch 11:45am - 12:45pm Doors Open - Dhira Ghosh, London Heritage Council Culture Days - Aubrey Reeves, Culture Days
PAGE 16 Friday, October 13, 2017
Room 1: Indigenous Collections: Promising Practices & Next Steps Speakers: Petal Furness, Grey Roots Museum and Archives Jane Holland Dr. Cara Krmpotich, Faculty of Information, Univeristy of Toronto Bep Schippers, Ontario Museum Association
The Ontario Museum Association (OMA), in partnership with the Woodland Cultural Centre, Deyohahá:ge: Indigenous Knowledge Centre at the Six Nations Polytechnic, and the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto, held the Indigenous Collections Symposium (ICS) on March 23 – 24, 2017. In light of the Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), the theme was Promising Practices, Challenging Issues and Changing the System. This presentation will share stories regarding the care and interpretation of Indigenous collections, particularly those held in trust by non-Indigenous organizations, and present a Report on recommendations for next steps the OMA could take to build on the foundation laid by the Symposium and based on key themes emerging from participants’ feedback. A publication of the Symposium proceedings will also be presented to the public for the first time.
Room 2: Art of Sustainable Energy Speakers: Stephanie Porter & Roberta Grosland, Woodstock Art Gallery 12:45pm - 1:30pm xxxxxxxJay Heaman, Oxford County
In this presentation we will be talking about collaborations within the Woodstock Art Gallery (between education and curatorial) and with our community partner, Oxford County, both of which have allowed us to create innovative programming for our community. Attendees will learn about the steps that curators and educators can take to create exhibits that work for both school programs and the public. As well, we will share our experiences around working with external partners to develop meaningful and alternative programing.
Workshop: A Fresh Approach to Meeting Conservation Standards Speaker: Fiona Graham, Conservator
Museums assuming they cannot meet conservation standards because of resource constraints will find reason for hope in this workshop. Standards such as those used for Community Museum Operating Grants or Movable Cultural Property designation will be discussed in practical terms. We will explore common misunderstandings about environmental control, examine current options in monitoring equipment, look at simplifying emergency planning, reflect on the key role of inspections, and identify what makes a conservation policy useful.
Room 1: An Update for Museums from the Ministry of Tourism, xxxxxx Culture & Sport Speaker: Meagan Brooks, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport
As part of Ontario’s new Culture Strategy, the government is committed to improving the conservation of collections from archaeological sites in Ontario so that current and future generations can learn about and understand the past. However, museums often face special challenges regarding these types of collections. This presentation, given by the Ministry of 1:30pm - 2:30pm Tourism, Culture and Sport, will provide museum staff with information about:
• Ontario’s new Culture Strategy • legislation in Ontario regarding archaeological collections • government efforts to work with museums to improve the conservation of archaeological collections
It will also include a question period and brainstorming session, the results of which will help the government provide museums with better tools to manage these important collections.
PAGE 17 Room 2: Finding Relevance Through Branding & Community xxxxxxxEngagement
Speakers: Emma Quin, Textile Museum of Canada xxxxxxxMichael Rikley-Lancaster, Mississippi Valley Textile Museum
As Museum professionals we all want to find improved ways to connect with our audiences. For Craft Ontario, a significant way that they re-engaged was through a repositioning and rebranding of the organization. Through this session I will speak to the research that guided the decision to rebrand, along with the stages and steps taken to realise the vision that transitioned the Ontario Crafts Council to Craft Ontario. • • • The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum prides itself in being able to engage with so many people within the community. One of the best ways the Museum has been able to engage with the community is identifying who has had direct contact with the Museum’s history as a textile mill; the mill workers. The Museum has identified and brought in as many of these individuals as possible, gathering their oral histories and making them lifetime Cont. members. Their involvement has rippled throughout the rest of the community, with friends and family members making their connections through the mill workers. By picking out a niche group that can benefit from the Museums space, while adding to its content, is 1:30pm - 2:30pm viable and enjoyable way to create a interesting dynamic to the Museum and boost visitor numbers.
Workshop: Re-Think! A Workshop Exploring New Ways of xxxxxxxxxLooking at Your Collections and Turning Them Into xxxxxxxxxExhibits (30 participants maximum)
Speaker: John Summers, Heritage Services, Regional Municipality of Halton
The session will begin with the unveiling of ten artifacts typical of those that are found in community museum collections across Ontario. Participants will work together to identify the artifacts and get the basic facts straight. Participants will then be asked to move beyond the obvious (the identification of the artifacts) to a consideration of both “what” and “how” the artifacts mean. Participants will use the insights they have developed to draft a Big Idea for one or more exhibits incorporating some or all of the artifacts. They will also briefly consider the exhibit’s possible audience(s), means of expression, visitor experience and learning outcomes.
2:30pm - 3:00pm ICE CREAM Break with Exhibitors Thank-you!
Room 1: Ontario Museums and Cultural Diplomacy
Speakers: Dr. Sascha Priewe, Royal Ontario Museum, xxxxxx Dr. Alexandra Suda, Art Gallery of Ontario, xxxxxx Jutta Brendemühl, Goethe-Institut Toronto, xxxxxx Laura McLeod, Harbourfront Centre Toronto.
3:00pm - 4:00pm Museums have developed into actors on the international stage in their own right, be it through exhibitions, loans, staff exchanges and training, research projects or even through outposts and franchises in parts of the world that are aggressively developing their cultural sectors. Harnessing this international moment has been a priority for many museums and for various reasons, and museums and other cultural institutions in Ontario have long been active in international work. This session will provide insights into some of the practices that are currently pursued by museums in Ontario.
PAGE 18 Room 2: Beyond Classrooms Kingston: How Teachers Are xxxxxxxUsing Museums & Community Sites as a Catalyst for xxxxxxxInquiry-Based Learning (30 minutes)
Speaker: Karla Tynski, Beyond Classrooms Kingston
How can museums engage children and encourage community building? In this session, you will hear how community sites are being used as a catalyst for inquiry-based learning. For the past three years, Beyond Classrooms Kingston has been moving teachers and their students into authentic settings, such as art galleries, museums, and municipal buildings, where they spend an entire week interacting directly and deeply with the site.
Room2: Handing Over Your Museum to a 13 Year Old xxxxxxx(30 minutes)
Speakers: Melissa Wakeling, Danielle McMahon Jones & Dave Cox, xxxxxxxGlanmore National Historic Site Cont. This session will explore the idea of giving up control of the museum to youth in the 3:00pm - 4:00pm community. It will look at the process used by Glanmore to facilitate the program, what worked, what didn’t work and how it could be improved for the next time. The presentation will include video clips highlighting the student’s work and their Takeover experience in their own words. Insight into how the program has impacted the youth, the museum and the community will be discussed.
Workshop: Fundraising: Whose Job is it Anyway?
Speakers: Jenny Mitchell, Chief Visionary Officer, Chavender
Ahh the dreaded F word. Fundraising. Does your board run for the hills when discussion turns to selling tickets for your next gala, or next fundraising event? Who really does own the responsibility to fundraise for your organization? In this interactive session, Jenny Mitchell, CFRE, a professional fundraiser will share her “fundraising is a team sport” approach that you can implement at any organization, no matter how big or how small. If you’re ready to take your fundraising to the next level, without burning out your staff and volunteers, this session is for you! Bring your real-life situations to the session so we can brainstorm together your best path forward for fundraising success.
Conference Closing & 2018 Announcement 4:00pm - 4:30pm Stick around for a chance to win great prizes and a FREE registration to the Ontario Museum Association Conference in 2018! Subject to Change
PAGE 19 Ontario Museum Association Conference 2017 Presented by the GOEMP
The Group of Ontario Emerging Museum Professionals is represented by the GOEMP Committee who in collaboration with the Ontario Museum Association act as a voice and resource for the GOEMP community. By providing programming, communications, and resources both digitally an in-person, a supportive, professional network is fostered among Ontario’s EMPs.
The GOEMP Committee with support from the OMA have planned the following:
Conference Connections Mentorship Opportunity at Conference 2017!
Make the most of your conference experience by taking part in Conference Connections! Conference Connections is a mentorship opportunity for Emerging Museum Professionals to connect with the Museum Community’s seasoned veterans!
To learn more download the Conference Connections Information.
Be sure to indicate your interest when you register for conference!
Ontario/Canada 150+ Trivia Night The Third Annual OMA Trivia Night - Is this your year to be victorious?
Following the Awards of Excellence Gala the GOEMP Committee will be hosting the Third Annu- al Trivia Night. This year’s theme will have a Canada/Ontario 150+ focus: how much do you know about Ontario’s & Canada’s past?
Join other conference attendees for a FREE night of socializing, fun and a little bit of competition. There will be snacks for all and a cash bar on site and the victorious team will be taking home some great prizes.
Be sure to indicate your interest when you register for conference!
PAGE 20 Ontario Museum Association Conference 2017 Notes
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