19981999: A Record-Breaking Year for the Canadian Museum of Civilization CorporationHull, Quebec, October 22, 1999 The 19981999 annual report of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC) comprised of the Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC) and the Canadian War Museum (CWM) was tabled yesterday in the House of Commons. The CMCC's annual report outlines the institution's achievements and challenges as well as the outstanding success it experienced over the past year.
Driven by the overwhelming popularity of its Mysteries of Egypt exhibition and world-premiere IMAXTM film, the Corporation enjoyed an increase in both attendance and revenues of more than 20% over the previous year. Completing this success at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Canadian War Museum continues to enjoy a greater public profile and revitalized interest. Chief among the indicators of this growing public support for the War Museum were the launch of a national fundraising campaign and the federal government's November 1998 announcement of a 20-acre parcel of land for a new Canadian War Museum facility.
As a responsive and publicly accountable institution, the Corporation continues to measure its success with indicators like attendance figures, public and critical response, number of publications, and revenues. Notable figures from the 19981999 fiscal year include: - general attendance of more than 1,400,000 visitors to the CMC and 129,000 to the CWM
- 32 special exhibitions at the CMC ranging from ancient Egypt and contemporary Inuit art to Native ranching and rodeo life
- five special exhibitions at the CWM ranging from war paintings to war photographs and Canadian posters of the First World War
- 11 CMC exhibitions travelling worldwide
- five CWM exhibitions travelling to various venues in Canada
- more than 75 concerts and other special events at the CMC, and more than 25 special events at the CWM
- more than 6,700,000 accesses of the Corporation's World Wide Web site, due to added content and promotion of the site
- a record-setting year with self-generated revenues at an all-time high of $11.4 million. This represents an increase of 30%, or $2.7 million, over 19971998. These revenues were a direct result of record attendance at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, due to the tremendous success of the Mysteries of Egypt exhibition and IMAXTM film.
- major corporate sponsorship of three (two CMC/one CWM) exhibitions, and an additional $1.5 million raised towards the CWM Passing the Torch campaign
- eight new CMC print publications, three new CWM print publications and five CMC electronic electronic publications (CD-ROMs)
- seven international awards for the Corporation's multimedia products and promotions.
"Success in modern museology has come to be measured in this information age by our capacity for outreach and our ability to adapt to the demands of a changing society," notes the Corporation's Chairwoman, Adrienne Clarkson, whose nomination as Canada's new Governor General was announced on September 8. "We are pleased at this year's many successes, for they suggest that we are becoming more surefooted within the brave new world of international museology."
Acting CEO Joe Geurts says: "This year's annual report demonstrates the success that can be achieved when we produce content that meets the demands and expectations of modern museum visitors. From the record-breaking popularity of Mysteries of Egypt to the important partnerships we've been able to attract for our exhibitions, capital projects and programmes, this year has proven the value of working together with both the private and public sectors, and with the Canadian people."
Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced on September 30, 1999, the appointment of Dr. John R. English as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation.
Information (media):
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