MONTRÉAL, May 18, 2007 - The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, and the Honourable Michael M Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister Responsible for the Montréal Region, today announced funding of $1,032 251 for 18 museum institutions in Quebec. The Ministers, accompanied by many prominent players from Quebec's museum community, also took the opportunity to celebrate International Museum Day. "This year's theme, 'Museums and Universal Heritage', reminds us that everyone in the world is responsible for sharing and protecting their culture and heritage," said Minister Oda. " Canada's New Government recognizes Quebec's unique heritage and culture. Our support announced today helps local and regional museums across the province to fulfill their role in preserving the richness of Quebec culture and the Francophone heritage of our country. On this special day, I invite all Canadians to visit museums in their region, their province, their territory, or across Canada to celebrate their history, their diversity--our heritage."" I am pleased to celebrate the International Museum Day in Montreal with my colleague," said Minister Fortier. "Our Government believes that by preserving and promoting the rich heritage of Canadian society, our museums help Canadians improve and grow personally and collectively. Canada's New Government's support demonstrates our commitment." In Budget 2007, Canada's New Government also invested an additional $10M over 2 years that will allow museums across the country to employ student interns in their peak seasons. International Museum Day has been celebrated around the world since 1977. This year, under the theme 'Museums and Universal Heritage', we are all invited to take the time to appreciate our collective heritage and think about the importance of the work done by cultural institutions the world over to preserve it.Canada's New Government encourages all Canadians to participate in International Museum Day by visiting a museum near them or exploring the Virtual Museum of Canada (www.virtualmuseum.ca), which provides online access to all the treasures of our Canadian museums.
Information:Véronique Bruneau Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women
819 997-7788
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services
613 868-1128
Marie-Claude Cadorette
Manager
Communications
Quebec Region
Canadian Heritage
514 283-4027
DESCRIPTION OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO QUEBEC MUSEUMS
FROM CANADA'S NEW GOVERNMENT
ANNOUNCED MAY 18, 2007
INFORMATION SHEET
SUPPORT GRANTED UNDER CULTURAL SPACES CANADA PROGRAM-DEPARTMENT OF CANADIAN HERITAGEMontreal Museum of Fine Arts
$80,750 for feasibility and technical studies to evaluate the costs of converting the Erskine & American Church into a Pavilion of Canadian Art.
Musée de la Mémoire vivante, Saint-Jean-Port-Joli
$220,250 for the construction and development of a museum devoted to the life stories and other accounts of the author Philippe Aubert de Gaspé.Musée des ondes Émile-Berliner, Montréal
$25,000 for a feasibility study regarding the purchase and renovation of the old RCA Victor factory, located in the Saint-Henri neighbourhood, which is home to the Musée des ondes Émile-Berliner.
SUPPORT GRANTED UNDER THE CANADIAN ARTS AND HERITAGE SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM-DEPARTMENT OF CANADIAN HERITAGEArchéo-Québec, Melocheville
$24,500 for the expansion and enhancement of the communications strategy to diversify clients for the Mois de l'archéologie event. Parc archéologique de la Pointe-du-Buisson, Melocheville
$39,800 to update the organization's governance. The Atwater Library of Mechanics' Institute of Montreal
$49,500 to improve the organization's financial capacity in order to better meet community needs.Les Aventuriers de l'Archéologie dans le Haut-Saint-Laurent, Droulers Site
$6,455 for the creation of a marketing plan to develop new audiences. Fondation Héritage Montréal
$87,500 to develop audience awareness and market penetration tools. Université du Québec à Montréal, UQAM's art gallery
$24,790 to develop a network of partner institutions across Canada and to increase the circulation of its travelling exhibits and catalogues outside of Quebec.La Maison St-Gabriel, Montréal
$18,740 to develop a five-year strategic plan.Musée d'histoire, d'ethnographie et d'art religieux de Nicolet $24,000 for a plan to develop new and diversified audiences for the Musée des religions.Musée d'art contemporain des Laurentides, Saint-Jérôme
$24,212 to develop a fundraising activity to ensure the Musée's long-term sustainability.Musée de la Gaspésie, Gaspé
$1,436 for planning and for updating the organization's accounting system. Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke
$41,100 for implementing a business plan for the institution.Musée des hospitalières de l'Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal
$58,900 to develop a fundraising campaign to ensure the museum's long-term sustainability. Musée québécois de la culture populaire, Trois-Rivières
$23,593 to implement a strategy to develop and strengthen client loyalty among the local population and to diversify its audience. Board of Montreal Museum Directors
$4,250 to create an audience development plan for the Journée des musées montréalais.
SUPPORT GRANTED UNDER MOVABLE CULTURAL PROPERTY PROGRAM-DEPARTMENT OF CANADIAN HERITAGE
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
40,000 to purchase a Charles Rennie Mackintosh dark oak stained chair from the late 19th century.McCord Museum of Canadian History, Montréal
$237,475 to purchase 15 new works from the 18th and 19th centuries.
