LA BAIE, Quebec, April 4, 2008 - The Musée du Fjord will be able to present its travelling bilingual exhibition, Abyss: Life in Deep Waters, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
On behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, Denis Lebel, Member of Parliament (Roberval-Lac-Saint-Jean), today announced funding for the Musée du Fjord in La Baie.
Funding of $137,791 will allow the Museum to organize a travelling exhibit called Abyss: Life in Deep Waters, which will offer visitors the chance to discover the underwater life of ocean abysses. The Museum will also better define its commercial mission in order to increase its income from independent sources and develop communication and visibility strategies.
These funds are in addition to previous funding of $121,475, which was granted to the Musée du Fjord to organize a travelling exhibition called Front-Page Microbes. The exhibition offered visitors the opportunity to discover the variety and roles of microbes we hear about in the news, as well as those we deal with in everyday life.
"I am proud that the Government of Canada is supporting the Musée du Fjord, which highlights the historical, natural, and artistic heritage of one of the most beautiful regions of Quebec, the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean area," said Minister Verner. "Congratulations to the Musée's staff and volunteers, who stimulate the interest of Canadians and the rest of the world in our country's heritage."
"By providing us with a fascinating universe where history, nature, and science intermingle, the Musée du Fjord is a place for introduction, observation, and discovery," said Mr. Lebel. "With its doors wide open on the world, the museum offers visitors from near and far the opportunity to enjoy enriching and diverse experiences."
"We are pleased to receive this vital funding, which will help us to continue our quest for excellence and offer our audiences a rich and diverse program of activities during the 2008-2009 season," said Guylaine Simard, Executive Director of the Musée du Fjord. "The Government of Canada's support for the Musée du Fjord helps increase our expertise and create solid and sustainable partnerships with our country's museums and researchers, of which are very proud."
Opened in 1983, the Musée du Fjord features temporary exhibitions with themes related to nature and the environment, from historical and scientific perspectives. More specifically, it seeks to emphasize the relationship between the natural environment and human occupation in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and the Baie des Ha! Ha! regions, particularly following the July 1996 flooding of the region. The museum also presents travelling exhibits from other museums and a variety of activities, including conferences, talks, and educational visits.
The Government of Canada has provided this funding under the Museum Assistance Program (MAP) and the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program (CAHSP) of the Department of Canadian Heritage. The MAP provides financial support to Canadian museums and related institutions for projects that foster excellence in museum activities and that facilitate access to the treasures of our collective heritage. The goal of the CAHSP is to support modern management and greater financial stability in arts and heritage organizations.
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages
819 997-7788
Marie-Claude Cadorette
Regional Manager, Communications
Quebec Region
Canadian Heritage
514 283-4027
