VANCOUVER, January 23, 2010 -On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable Yonah Martin, Senator (British Columbia), today attended the official opening of the newly expanded facilities of the University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology.
"Our Government is proud to have contributed to this redevelopment project, which has greatly expanded access to treasures from the Museum's extensive Northwest Coast Aboriginal collections," said Minister Moore. "The enhanced research, storage, and exhibition spaces have transformed the Museum of Anthropology into one of the world's leading cultural institutions."
"For more than 50 years, the Museum of Anthropology has made a significant contribution to education and culture," said Senator Martin. "It has provided Canadians with valuable access to cultural artifacts from British Columbia and around the world."
The Museum of Anthropology is Canada's largest teaching museum and is renowned for providing insight into the cultures of indigenous peoples from around the world. Its mission is to investigate, preserve, and present objects and expressions of human creativity in order to promote understanding of and respect for world cultures.
The Museum houses around 535,000 ethnographic and archaeological objects, many of which originate from the Northwest Coast of British Columbia. Massive totem poles, carved boxes, bowls, and feast dishes are featured in the Museum's Great Hall, while smaller pieces in gold, silver, wood, ceramic, and other materials are exhibited elsewhere in the galleries.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $2,144,319 under the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (formerly Cultural Spaces Canada). This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays.
For more information (media only), please contact:
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Perry Boldt
A/Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604-666-5739
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
