ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015 MISSION The Ontario Museum Association builds capacity among individuals and institutions active in Ontario’s museum sector.
VISION The Ontario Museum Association is the leading cultural organization ensuring a relevant and sustainable museum sector in the province for the benefit of Ontario residents and our global community.
VALUES
Sector Relevance
Service Focus
Partnership Orientation
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YEAR ENDTITLE MESSAGE HORIZONTAL HERE 2015 was quite the year! The Association had a chance to work with our members and the broader museum community on a number of initiatives and legacy projects, with the goal of reinforcing the relevance of museums for greater public value. As 2015 was also the year marking 400 years of French presence in Ontario, the OMA was invited by the Office of Francophone Affairs to commemorate this important anniversary with a special web project and participation in community events. With our network of museums in regions everywhere, the focus is to highlight how museums present our rich heritage through collections and artefacts related to the story of thriving francophone communities of the past and present. The Looking Ahead initiative was launched to develop a sector-led strategic vision and action plan for the future of Ontario’s museums, to identify opportunities and inform strategies to help museums meet challenges ahead by positioning them as dynamic cultural agents that shape and support community identity and our quality of life. With the continuation of the three-year project museumsuccession, museum governance workshops were hosted in French and English and offered in several regions ; the group of Emerging Museum Professionals (EMPs) planned special conference programs and events in response to their professional and networking needs, and the Building Community Toolkit was reviewed to enhance the process of engaging community in the strategic planning of museums. Another successful year of programming featured the SUMAC hosted OMA Annual Conference, Healthy Museums, Vibrant Communities concentrating on three program keys: Collections, Interpretation and Visitors. Welcoming Maurice Davies, museum adviser, researcher and contributor to the UK’s Museums 2020, conference delegates had a chance to address the important role that museums play in the well-being of individuals and communities while being challenged to evaluate their own impact. The OMA also recognized 7 Awards of Excellence recipients for their excellence in museum work, and 7 graduates of the Certificate in Museum Studies program. A timely professional development offer was the Travelling Exhibit Forum —showcasing successful travelling exhibits and their planning with helpful strategies. The Pre-Forum and Post-Forum webinars explored traveling exhibits and new MAP grant opportunities available to members to assist with their projects and application process. The Ontario Museum Association delivered a comprehensive and robust professional development program, offering nine Certificate in Museum Studies courses including three online, workshops on Mannequins, and Re-organization of Storage space in partnership with the Canadian Conservation Institute. We look forward to continuing our work together to ensure that museums continue to be vibrant and vital to Ontario communities. Our grateful thanks to all of our members, colleagues, and partners who help us look ahead with confidence.
Yves Théoret President
Marie Lalonde Executive Director
3 STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN
COUNCIL 2014– 2015 Yves Théoret, President
Petal Furness, Councillor
Director, Exhibitions and Outreach National Gallery of Canada
Manager of Museum and Archives Grey Roots Museum & Archives
Gilles Séguin, Past President
Cathy Masterson, Councillor
National Manager, Cultural Resource Conservation, Heritage Conservation and Commemoration Directorate Parks Canada Agency
Manager of Cultural Affairs City of Windsor
Clark Bernat, Vice President
Cathy McGirr, Councillor
Manager of Museums, City of Niagara Falls Museums
Director, Museums Cultural Services Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre
John Dalrymple, Secretary
Braden Murray, Councillor
Director, Strategic Initiatives Canada’s National Ballet School
Museum Educator Lake of the Woods Museum
Emanuele Lepri, Treasurer
Chantal J. Schryer, Councillor
Director Bata Shoe Museum
Vice President, Corporate Affairs Canadian Museum of History
Cheryl Fraser, Councillor
Kelley Swift Jones, Councillor
Web Manager Royal Ontario Museum
Museum Curator Simcoe County Museum
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MEMBER ENGAGEMENT HORIZONTAL TITLE HERE The OMA is pleased to report that membership is stable and growing, exceeding 1000 total members in the 2014-2015 fiscal year — for the fourth year in a row! Maintaining a strong and active membership is key to our success as an organization and as a sector.
After much anticipation, the new Membership Management System (MMS) was completed to respond to member needs for convenient online payment for both membership renewals and event registrations. The new system provides members- through a single portal - the ability to manage their own profile, membership records, income history, upcoming events and course registrations and assignment marks, as well managing the museum listings appearing on the Discover Ontario Museums public website. A social media feed and Forum feature
U of T Museum Studies Students receiving their OMA Membership packages
To keep members informed of Association, sector and Ontario museum news, the OMA reached out to our membership through a variety of methods, including weekly ONmuseums, and eNews alerts.
Discover Ontario Museums website has been launched for over 2 years and has proven to be a useful guide for visitors to find more information about the museums in Ontario.
were added to the home page of the professional site to enhance member networking and discussion opportunities. The development phase of this project over the fiscal year 2014-2015 resulted in the completion of the website and its successful launch in 2015.
To reach a wider audience, the OMA used Social Media, like Twitter and Facebook, to share Ontario museum news as well as Association news.
The OMA shares content from workshops and conferences for those members who are unable to attend in person on the official YouTube channel.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HORIZONTAL TITLE HERE In 2014-2015, the OMA professional development program engaged 746 people in learning opportunities that strengthened their knowledge and skills and encouraged networking.
This year the OMA was fortunate to present a subsidized workshop from the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) on Construction of Mannequins for Historic Costume. This two-day
Nine Certificate in Museum Studies courses were delivered to 217 participants at six museums across the province and online. The flexibility of online delivery allowed a second section of Organization & Management of Museums to be offered to meet demand. Seven individuals graduated with their certificates in 2014.
workshop provided participants with hands-on experience building gummed tape mannequins and creating period appropriate hairstyles.
The Travelling Exhibit Forum was a two-day
In 2014 the OMA partnered with the Canadian Conservation Institute to host the first regional pilot of RE-ORG: Canada. Six Ontario museums were selected to participate in a year-long learning opportunity that allowed them to re-organize their
symposium that brought together professionals from museums large and small to learn about creating and touring travelling exhibits, to network with other travelling exhibit producers and borrowers, to discover how to maximize their potential as borrowers, and to get a behind the scenes look at how the Ontario Science Centre creates and manages travelling exhibits. This
collections storage areas with the expertise of CCI, funding from the Museums Assistance Program, and the support of their colleagues across the province and their sister group, REORG Southeast Europe. The RE-ORG training program is an international initiative of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property
unique event provided not only learning but an
(ICCROM).
opportunity for exhibit producers and borrowers to explore how they can improve their working relationships. In partnership with the Department of Canadian Heritage Museums Assistance Program, pre- and post-event webinars were presented to provide information on how museums can access funding to create and tour travelling exhibits in Ontario and beyond.
746 participants in programs & events 92 - Governance Workshops
377 - Workshops & Conferences
5 Workshops
58 Speakers
48 Museums
60 - Webinars
217 - CMS 73 Museums
7 Graduates
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SIDE TITLE HERE INSERT MUSEUMSUCCESSION
In 2014-2015, the Ontario Museum Association delivered on Year Two of its three-year museumsuccession project. This project, funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, has allowed us to provide governance workshops across the province at no charge to participants; to enhance relationships between museums and their communities by adapting Building Responsive Museums into a comprehensive and user-friendly toolkit; and to support Ontario’s emerging museum professionals by fostering an active network of peers within the sector.
Emerging Museum Professionals Advisory Committee (EMPAC) members at 2014 Conference Ben MacIntosh, Braden Murray, Emily Beliveau, and Pailagi Pandya.
Emily Beliveau, EMPAC presenting at 2014 Conference
Governance Workshop with North Shores Cultural Attractions Network (NSCAN) at Massey Museum Facilitator: Carrie Brooks-Joiner November 14, 2014
Governance Workshop with Elgin-Oxford-Norfolk Association of Curators, Archivists, and Director (EON) Facilitator: Carrie Brooks-Joiner November 28, 2014
Governance Workshop Partners:
Sioux Lookout Community Museum, Sunset Country Museum Network
Campbell House, Toronto
Arnprior & District Museum, Renfrew County Museum Network
Massey Museum, North Shores Cultural Attractions Network (NSCAN)
Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Centre, Elgin-Oxford-Norfolk Association of Curators, Archivists, and Directors (E.O.N.).
7 CMS Course Directors: Dr. Amy Barron
Amber Lloydlangston
University of Toronto, University of Guelph-Humber, Fleming College
Curator Regional History Museum London
Cindy Colford
Bill Nesbitt
HERE STUDIES SIDE TITLE INSERT IN MUSEUM CERTIFICATE
Conservator, Peterborough Museum & Archives
Supervisor Oakville Museum
and Faculty of Fleming College
Bev Dietrich
John Summers
Curator Guelph Museums
Manager, Heritage Services and Curator Regional Municipality of Halton
Joan Kanigan
Melissa Wakeling
Executive Director Museum of Ontario Archaeology
Education & Marketing Coordinator, Glanmore National Historic Site
Courses 2014 - 2015
Museums & the Community (Online)
Museums in Historic Buildings (Facilities Management) Huron County Museum and Historic Gaol, Goderich
Artifacts Fanshawe Pioneer Village, London
Collections Management Guelph Civic Museum, Guelph
2014 Graduates:
Bethany Aitchison, Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace Defence
Len De Graaf
Education Programs Muskoka Boat & Heritage Center, Gravenhurst
Jenna Leifso, Huron County Museum and Historic Gaol
Organization & Management of Museums (Online)
John Organ
Exhibit Planning & Design Niagara Falls History Museum, Niagara Falls
Elizabeth Peloza
Caroline Petznick
Heather Tichenor, Black Creek Pioneer Village
Museums Context (Online)
Care of Collections Canadian Canoe Museum, Peterborough
CMS Course: Education Programs Gravenhurst September 29-October 1, 2014
CMS Course: Exhibit Planning & Design Niagara Falls December 1-3, 2014
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TRAVELLING EXHIBIT FORUM (TEF)
SIDE TITLE INSERT WEBINARS ANDHERE WORKSHOPS
Ontario Science Centre, Toronto, June 9-10, 2014
Dan Boivin, Canadian Museum of Nature presents on Interpretive Planning and Design June 9, 2014
Roundtable Discussions at the Travelling Exhibit Forum June 10, 2014
Put Your Exhibit on the MAP: The Museums Assistance Program and Travelling Exhibitions Online, May 9, 2014 Presenter: Beverley O’Connell, Department of Canadian Heritage
Managing a Travelling Exhibit Project Online, September 25, 2014 Presenters: Beverley O’Connell and Andrew Elgee, Department of Canadian Heritage, Jon Oldham, Peterborough Museum and Archives
CCI CONSTRUCTION OF MANNEQUINS FOR HISTORIC COSTUMES Lennox & Addington Museum & Achives, February 25-26, 2014
Creating gummed tape and plaster mannequins February 25, 2015
Participants pose with their mannequins February 26, 2015
9 HEALTHY MUSEUMS, VIBRANT COMMUNITIES Nottawasaga Inn, Alliston, Ontario October 15-17, 2014 The Annual Conference 2014 theme and program explored two primary directions for museums. Healthy Museums looked at museums and their individual functions, (collections, conservation, programming, gift shop, fundraising etc.), and how to provide a balanced approach in supporting, managing, and integrating all of these functions in a time efficient and
TITLE HERE 2014 SIDE INSERT CONFERENCE ANNUAL
cost effective way, always in pursuit of the museum's mission. Vibrant Communities examined how museums can serve people and communities in many aspects of life, as places of wellness, even healing, social, community and economic development, and that museum programs facilitate learning and social equity, improving the long term well-being of a community.
Plenary Speakers Maurice Davies Museum Consultant Formerly of Museums Association (UK) Marlene Hilton Moore Artist/ Sculptor
Looking Ahead Talking Circles Conference 2014 October 16, 2014
Opening Reception Museum on the Boyne October 15, 2015
Workshop with Maurice Davies Conference 2014 October 16, 2014
10 2014 Award Recipients: Solange Claude, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Meredith Leonard, St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre, Adrien Petry, St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre, Shanna Dunlop, Fanshawe Pioneer Village, Janet Cobban, John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area, Jillian Metcalfe, Algonquin Award Recipient, Laurel MacMillan, TIFF, Clark Bernat, Niagara Falls History Museum, and Yves Théoret, OMA President. Not Pictured: Stu Finn, Sioux Lookout Community Museum
Award Recipients: Promising Leadership Dr. Shanna Dunlop, Curator, Fanshawe Pioneer Village
Distinguished Career
HERE SIDE INSERT EXCELLENCE OFTITLE AWARDS
Janet Cobban, Curator, John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area
Award of Excellence in Community Engagement St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre, the "aMuse" event series
Award of Excellence in Programs Canada Science and Technology Museum, "The Summer Institute for Elementary Teachers"
Award of Excellence in Exhibitions Niagara Falls History Museum “[No] Vacancy: Honeymoon Suites or By-the-Week, Motel Culture in Niagara"
Award of Excellence in Special Projects TIFF "David Cronenberg: Evolution", "David Cronenberg Virtual Exhibition", and "Body/ Mind/Change"
Award of Excellence in Publications Sioux Lookout Community Museum "Sioux Lookout Community Museum’s Mobile App"
Fleming College Emerging Museum Professional Award 2014 Recipient: Ruth O’Connell
Algonquin College Applied Museums Studies Program OMA Award of Merit 2014 Recipient: Jillian Metcalfe
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LOOKING AHEADTITLE INITIATIVE HORIZONTAL HERE The Looking Ahead Initiative seeks to build a strong, united and relevant museum community for Ontarians. To undertake this work, the OMA convened the Looking Ahead Task Force in Summer 2014. Comprised of 12 members, this group represents the depth and breadth of Ontario’s museum sector. Over the past year, this Task Force has worked to realize the full potential of a more collaborative, forward-looking and responsive museum sector for communities across the province, and to achieve the three long-term outcomes established for the project:
Informed relevant museum strategies for Ontarians that foster accessibility and participation
Improved sector capacity and communication
Improved sector accountability and transparency
In 2014-2015, initial work focused on research to: Discussions during Looking Ahead Talking Circles, October 16, 2014
Identify sector successes and challenges.
Determine the current profile of the museum sector in Ontario.
Study innovative approaches from the broader museum sector and cultural sector.
This research supported the discussion of future directions, which was also informed by a broad consultation process, including:
Input and feedback from museum professionals, volunteers and stakeholders through 140 online survey responses, 31 in-depth interviews, and four facilitated discussions (attended by approximately 250 people).
An institutional survey completed by 177 museums.
Ongoing discussions and engagement with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, as well as other public and private sector funders.
To date, important results of the Looking Ahead Initiative include the release of the preliminary report Ontario’s Museums 2025: Looking Ahead – Towards a Strategic Vision and Action Plan in November 2015. A first for museums in Ontario, the Task Force has submitted this preliminary report with the intention that Ontario’s Museums 2025 be broadly shared and discussed. Task Force will consider all feedback received by February 29, 2016. A final report will be recommended to OMA Council for formal approval in late Winter 2016. We expect to release this final report in Spring 2016.
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THANK HORIZONTAL TITLE YOU!! HERE DONORS
PROVINCIAL FUNDING
Burns Anderson
Emanuele Lepri
Chris Bagley
Nancy Marr
Clark Bernat
Cathy Masterson
Pierre Bois
Cathy McGirr
Janet Carding
Catherine Richards
Maureen Couse
Jane Rumble
Bev Dietrich
Gilles Seguin
Mary Gladwin
Stephen Shurgold
Patricia Hamilton
John Summers
Sharilyn Ingram
Kelley Swift Jones
Sheila Johnson
Yves Theoret
Ian Kerr-Wilson
Karen VandenBrink
Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport
Provincial Heritage Organization Grant
Culture Development Fund
Summer Experience Program
FEDERAL FUNDING Department of Canadian Heritage
Museums Assistance Program
Young Canada Works
OTHER FUNDING Ontario Trillium Foundation
Marie Lalonde
SECRETARIAT Marie Lalonde, Executive Director Mary Collier, Professional Development Program Manager Sonia Briglio, Membership and Administration Coordinator Lucy Di Pietro, Project Manager, Looking Ahead Kathy Downs, Project Coordinator Barbara Gilbert, museumsuccession Project Manager
Graham Fraser, Commissioner of Official Languages, Louise Gauvreau, Senior Manager, Official Languages at Pan/Parapan American Games, Marie Lalonde, Executive Director, Ontario Museum Association, Francois Boileau, French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario, and Saad Rafi, CEO, Pan/Parapan American Games
With the support from Young Canada Works and Summer Experience employment programs, we thank the following individuals for their contribution: Melissa Wall, Communications Assistant, Josh Lichty, Project Assistant, Melanie Mundle, Project Assistant, Leila Syed-Fatemi, Conference Assistant, and Margot Hadaya, Intern
13 Conference 2014 Program Committee Co-Chair: Petal Furness (Grey Roots Museum & Archives), Co-Chair: Kelley Swift-Jones (Simcoe County Museum), Meg Beckel (Canadian Museum of Nature), Donna Goodwin (Simcoe County's Cultural Network), Maya Hirschman (Secrets of Radar Museum), Jenn Nelson (Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons)
Local Arrangements Committee Chair: Donna Goodwin (Sumac: Simcoe County's Cultural Network), Katie Huddleston (Museum on the Boyne), Nicole Jackson (Penetanguishene Centennial Museum & Archives), Chris Johnstone (Ontario Provincial Police Museum), Susan Warner (Collingwood Museum)
Awards of Excellence Committee Chair: Cathy Masterson (Recreation and Culture, City of Windsor), Cheryl Blackman, (Royal Ontario Museum), Laura Gibbs, (Gibson House Museum), Cathy McGirr, (Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre), and Sean Stoughton, (Waterloo Region Museum).
Nominations Committee Chair: Gilles Séguin (Heritage Conservation and Commemoration Directorate Parks Canada Agency), Petal Furness (Grey Roots Museum & Archives), Devon Muhic (Scarborough Museum) and Pailagi Pandya (Scarborough Museum)
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Museum Succession Project Advisory Committee Chair: Madeleine Callaghan (Scarborough Museum), Henriette Riegel (Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum), Amy Barron, Lori Nelson (Lake of the Woods Museum), Cheryl Fraser (Royal Ontario Museum), Karen Bachmann (Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre), Amy Dunlop (Wellington County Museum and Archives), Liz Driver (Campbell House Museum)
Emerging Museum Professionals Advisory Committee (EMPAC) Emily Beliveau (Huron County Museum & Historic Gaol), Laura Gibbs (Gibson House Museum), Ben MacIntosh (TIFF), Braden Murray (Lake of the Woods Museum), Pailagi Pandya (Scarborough Museum)
HR Committee Chair: Gilles Séguin (Heritage Conservation and Commemoration Directorate Parks Canada Agency), John Dalrymple (Canada’s National Ballet School), Yves Théoret (National Gallery of Canada), Clark Bernat (City of Niagara Falls Museums), and Emanuele Lepri (Bata Shoe Museum)
Bylaw Committee Chair: Clark Bernat (City of Niagara Falls Museums), Cathy Molloy (Markham Museum), and Catherine Richards (City of Oshawa)
Looking Ahead Task Force Chair: Yves Théoret, National Gallery of Canada (to Aug. 2015), Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (present), Karen Bachmann, Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre, Carolyn Bell Farrell, MacLaren Art Centre, Marty Brent, Peel Art Gallery, Museum, and Archives, Diane Imrie, Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, Ian Kerr-Wilson, City of Hamilton, Guy Labine, Science North, Janet Carding, Royal Ontario Museum, Xerxes Mazda, Royal Ontario Museum (to September 2015), National Museum of Scotland (present), Cathy Molloy, Markham Museum, Bill Poole, Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Michael Rikley-Lancaster, Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, Paul Robertson, City of Kingston.
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Conference 2014 Partners Simcoe County Museum, County of Simcoe, Sumac: Simcoe County's Cultural Network, Museum on the Boyne, Canadian Museum of History, Canadian War Museum, Total Transportation Solutions Inc., Beyond Digital, PACART, Cultural Asset Management, Gaylord, Royal Ontario Museum, Blue Rhino Design, Canadian Museum of Nature, Zone Display Cases, National Gallery of Canada, and Brain Trust Marketing and Communications.
Conference 2014 Tradeshow Exhibitors
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Armstrong Art Services, Bank of Canada Museum, Beyond Digital, Blue Rhino Design, Carr McLean, Canadian Museum of Nature, Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation, Canadian Museum of History, Canadian War Museum, Cultural Asset Management Group, Dundurn, Friesens, Gaylord, Lord Cultural Resources, Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo, Marsh, Sherbrooke Nature and Science Museum, Object Art Imaging, Pacart, Public Services Health & Safety Association, Royal Ontario Museum, RGA Technologies, Simbioz, Spacesaver Solutions Inc., Total Transportation Solutions Inc., and Zone Display Cases.
Professional Development Program Hosts Ontario Science Centre, and Lennox & Addington Museum & Archives
CMS Course Hosts Fanshawe Pioneer Village, Canadian Canoe Museum, Guelph Civic Museum, Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre, Niagara Falls Museum, and Huron County Museum & Historic Gaol.
Looking Ahead Task Force Meeting Toronto, Ontario
CCI Re-Org
Summary Financial Statements
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