Connecting

By Janet MacDonald

Head of Learning

Creating a Learning Culture Through Participation and Outreach

Creating and sustaining authentic community connections is essential in our line of work—now more than ever! As many of you know, we have suspended our on-site programming for the foreseeable future and have shifted to the online realm. We are forming deep digital bonds with learners of all ages from far and wide, even beyond our expectations. The following update from our respective office computers and home laptops will give you a sampling of the myriad initiatives underway.

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(left) Behind the scenes of the creation of the Emily Carr: Fresh Seeing exhibition virtual tour with Kiriko Watanabe, Gail and Stephen A. Jarislowsky Curator of the Audain Art Museum, and Kathryn Bridge, Curator Emerita of the Royal BC Museum. (below) Liz Crocker, Distance Learning Program Developer, works with a variety of content specialists and support staff to deliver virtual learning programs.

SHARED LEARNINGS

As a result of pandemic measures, BC Indigenous communities cannot access the museum and collections in person (see “Collaboration Through Digitization” on page 16). This challenge offered up an opportunity to experiment with a new way of connecting. As a useful first step in preparing for repatriation of belongings to home communities, we began a digital pilot program. Our Indigenous Collections and Repatriation colleagues facilitate virtual visits with cultural belongings currently housed in the collections. Options for viewing include livestream connections that are simultaneously recorded and on-site video productions— both are available to the nations involved for study and sharing at home. Time has now been set aside in the Distance Room schedule each month for this program.

As we go to press, kids are back in school, but unfortunately not back at the museum! So, we’re gearing up for a digital field trip season instead. Videoconferencing technology, cameras and lighting combine to allow us to deliver live, interactive, curriculum-linked sessions, as well as to connect online learners with each other across the province and around the world. For those of you who are teachers or have teachers in your lives, check out our online learning offerings at rbcm.ca/digitalfieldtrips.

VIRTUAL TOURS: INSIDEOUT

Yes, the museum is open to the public—albeit at limited capacity, to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable visit. But the demand for more digital content in programs has increased substantially as teachers, parents and adults turn to online content to stay connected to the museum. Our distance and online learning program is one that fits our provincial mandate well, increasing access and reaching as many British Columbians as possible. We have begun an intense period of capturing video tour content that can be enjoyed far and wide. Armed with lighting and 360° cameras, video production folks are gearing up to film aspects of our core galleries and the new temporary exhibition Emily Carr: Fresh Seeing—French Modernism and the West Coast.

SILVER LININGS

We have taken advantage of this time to think more broadly about how best to provide a selection of resources that can support a wider audience across our diverse provincial spectrum. In fact, the Learning team has come to the realization that silver linings do exist in these challenging times—if we are creative and nimble enough to listen and respond to our audience’s needs and interests. These initiatives will continue into the future, providing an even greater service than we could have imagined a mere eight months ago.