OTTAWA, May 18, 2015
Every year since 1977, International Museum Day has been celebrated around the world around May 18. This year, the theme is Museums for a sustainable society, which inspires a host of activities.
In Canada, all heritage institutions combined, including museums, preserve some 294 million artefacts, archive documents, works of art and specimens, so that current and future generations can enjoy them.
This year, our national museums will receive more than $212 million. In addition, the Museums Assistance Program and Young Canada Works will inject close to $15 million, thereby helping heritage organizations all over the country to preserve and present their collections.
Canadian Heritage supports projects that foster professional knowledge, skills and practices related to key museum functions through the Museums Assistance Program, the Canadian Heritage Information Network and Young Canada Works.
Also included in Canadian Heritage’s portfolio is the Canadian Conservation Institute, a centre of expertise in conservation and conservation science that has been around for more than 40 years. The Institute helps institutions and professionals working to conserve Canada’s heritage collections.
Additionally, thanks to the Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Program, more Canadians have access to large-scale Canadian and international exhibitions. The program helps museums and art galleries reduce their insurance costs when presenting major exhibitions.
And finally, the Cultural Property Export and Import Act helps to ensure that cultural property of outstanding significance and national importance remains in Canada.
As we approach the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, I’d like to invite all Canadians to visit heritage institutions and museums to reconnect with their country’s history. These institutions receive almost 45 million visits each year!
Marisa Monnin
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
