Canadian Museums Association Annual Report 2009 09 2 Canadian Museums Association Vision: Mission: Values: The CMA will be an The CMA is committed to The CMA will be guided in all its actions by the inclusive national forum forge meaningful and last- following values: for the Canadian museum ing connections between l Accessibility: The board l Innovation: We challenge community that works Canadians and their cultural and the staff of the CMA ourselves constantly to to ensure the natural and and natural heritage, and to strive to be consistently ac- find fresh approaches to cultural heritage of Canada support the goals of Can- cessible and helpful to our best address the needs and is highly valued, sustained adian museums by: members. concerns of our members and communicated. l Effectively advocating on and partners. l Accountability: We behalf of our stakeholders answer to our government l Integrity: We embrace for heritage and culture; and museum partners for and promote the highest l Initiating and enabling the results we achieve as ethical standards in all our dialogue and collabora- responsible stewards of the activities. tion with other partners programs and resources l Lifelong learning: We across Canada and inter- entrusted to us. support the key role of nationally; l Co-operation: We work museums in fostering l Engaging all Canadians in in concert with our part- opportunities for lifelong museums and informing ners to achieve separate learning. them on standards of but complementary goals l Pride: We bring pride, excellence and develop- in the museum sector. passion, and professional- ments in the museum l Diversity: We respect ism to our work on behalf field; the diversity of Canadian of Canadian museums and l Creating and delivering values as revealed through their publics. programs and services collections of natural and l Respect: We value our that meet the needs of the cultural heritage, and partners and stakeholders community. encourage its expres- and earn their confidence sion through an inclusive and trust by carrying out approach to the develop- our responsibilities with ment and delivery of our exemplary diligence, and programs and services. respect for our shared values. Strategic priorities and objectives Ensure the relevancy Shape public policy Build collaborative Ensure of the association and advocate for partnerships that organizational the museum sector benefit the sector sustainability CMA – Annual Report 2009 A Year in Review 3 was mostly a year of financial uncertainty for the museum community. The global financial crisis 2009 affected museums and the CMA as well. Canada was fortunate not to be too adversely affected and the steps taken to stimulate the economy benefited many museums and galleries largely in the area of greater infrastructure spending. Generally, museum attendance held its own, largely due to increases from local or regional visitors. However, international tourism saw a decrease, especially from the United States. Donations were also seriously affected. Jon Tupper Museums had been encouraged by governments to build endowments, but these now produce very small incomes due to current low interest rates. As a result the CMA has proposed several innovative programs to help encourage donations to museums operations and benefit tax and employment strategies. As governments start to deal with these new deficits, it is clear we are in a new era and cuts to programs will begin in late 2010. The CMA intends to play a very strong role in the process of providing advice to the government and to the museum community on new directions to take. The CMA will also vigorously defend the legitimate role of museums as valued public services for the benefit of all. John G. McAvity Your membership involvement and the need for a strong independent national voice, working closely with all partners including from different sectors, will be more critical than ever. These challenges may be an opportunity for us to move in significant new directions and to gain greater control over the role and potential of our important institutions, both large and small. Jon Tupper President, CMA Board of Directors John G. McAvity, D.Litt Executive Director CMA – Annual Report 2009 4 Ensuring the relevancy of the association Awards We are always very proud and excited to promote the excellent work done in museums and the people behind the work and 2009 was no exception. Chaired by Dr. Shirley Thomson, the CMA awards were celebrated at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, March 26th 2009. Shirley Thomson CMA Award of Distinguished Service recognizes the exceptional ca- Exhibitions reers of outstanding museum profession- n The development team at the Montréal als. The 2009 recipients include: Science Centre (QC) for the MSC 2007: A n Bruce D. Bolton, Macdonald Stewart New Generation of Permanent Exhibitions pro- Foundation, Montreal, QCCMA ject: they used input from visitors aged 9 to n Ernest P. Mayer, Winnipeg Art Gallery, 14 in creating the thematic exhibitions. [2] Winnipeg, MB n Sylvie Morel, Canadian Museum of The Vancouver Art Gallery (BC) for Civilisation, Gatineau, QC KRAZY! The Delirious World of Anime + Comics n Scott Robson, Nova Scotia Museum, + Video Games + Art - Vancouver Art which Halifax, NS presented an international survey of modern n Nicole Vallières, McCord Museum of and contemporary comics, animated car- 1 Canadian History, Montreal, QC toons, graphic novels, manga, anime, video games and related visual arts. [7] Awards for Outstanding Facility Development and Design Achievement recognizes exceptional n Created with the help of master gardener museum projects in a variety of different Franco Dragone as part of Quebec City’s categories. The 2009 winners are: 400th Anniversary celebrations, Le potager des visionnaires transformed the roofs and fa- Conservation çade of the Musée de la civilisation (QC) n Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Mu- into a luxuriant canvas of plants. [4] seum of Archaeology and History 2 (QC)for their project entitled Preservation Management of the Foundation Piles — A Vestige of the n The Heritage Training Program developed Former Royal Insurance Company Building. by the Inuit Heritage Trust Inc. (NU) has [1] led to the improvement of professional herit- age practice throughout the territory. Education n The Royal Tyrrell Museum, Drumhel- Marketing ler (AB) Distance Learning Team for the n Board of Montreal Museum Direc- development of a complete suite of eight tors (QC) for Montreal Museums Day which video conference presentations for stu- drew 135,000 visitors to the 29 participating 3 dents of all grades. museums in 2008. CMA – Annual Report 2009 Ensuring the relevancy of the association 5 Publications The 2009 recipient of the Museums n Edited by Shawna Dempsey and Lorri and Schools Partnership Award Millan of the Winnipeg Art Gallery is the Morse Museum & Cultural Cen- (MB), Subconscious City examines the hid- tre (Morse SK) and its partner, Morse den underpinnings of Winnipeg and reveals High School for the Heritage School Tour a complicated picture of place. [6] Program which involves high school stu- dents acting as costumed volunteers. This Research award recognizes exceptional educational programs developed through close collab- n The Eureka Project: The Mactaggart oration between Canadian museums and Collection led by the University of Alberta Museums and Collections Department is an schools. This award is co-sponsored by the imaginative and practical synthesis of ideas CMA and the Canadian Teachers’ Federa- tion. [ ] and possibilities. [3] 5 Philanthropy The ICOM Canada International Achievement Award honours a Can- n Dr. Yosef Wosk, trustee at the Museum adian museum professional or organiza- of Anthropology in Vancouver (BC) has tion that has demonstrated and promoted contributed immensely to the Canadian mu- excellence in Canadian museology on an seum community through his time, finances international scale. The 2009 award was 4 and personal collections. presented to Dr. Carol Mayer for her invaluable contribution to international museology. As a professional, researcher, writer, teacher, mentor and volunteer, she has been instrumental in bringing Can- adian museum theory and practice to the international arena. Two new awards were launched in 2009 and first recipients will be recognized during the CMA 2010 National Conference: The Barbara Tyler Award in Museum Leadership recognizes 5 the exceptional contribution of the late Barbara A. Tyler to the Canadian museum community. Created at her request, supported by her personal generosity and supplemented by generous donations from many friends and admirers, this award will celebrate — in her own words — “the best leadership in museum 7 management in Canada.” The Museum Volunteer Award recognizes individuals or groups who generously volunteer their time and commitment to a museum or related heritage institution for several years. This 6 award is co-sponsored by the CMA and the Canadian Federation of Friends of Museums. CMA – Annual Report 2009 6 Ensuring the relevancy of the association Young Canada Works Bursaries 2009 was another success for the In 2008-2009, 179 bursaries were award- Young Canada Works in Herit- ed to museum professionals and volun- age Organizations program. With teers to assist them in their professional access to $5.7 million in project dollars, development. The Bursary Program is the CMA was able to create more than administered by the CMA for the Depart- 1,450 summer student and short term ment