Sheila Copps Announces Government of Canada Grants for Museums in New Brunswick
MONCTON, August 25, 1999 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today announced grants of $202,000 for museums and related institutions in New Brunswick. Recipients include the Association Museums New Brunswick, the Moncton Museum, the Musée acadien de l'Université de Moncton, the New Brunswick Museum and the Heritage Branch of the New Brunswick Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Culture."This announcement demonstrates the importance of partnerships between the Government of Canada and its cultural institutions and I am pleased to see this," said Minister Copps. "Museums represent havens of discovery and learning for Canadians and are a vital part of the legacy we leave to our children, connecting them to their heritage and their history."
Grants were awarded under the Museums Assistance Program (MAP), which provides $9.4 million annually in financial assistance to Canada's professional museums and related institutions. This represents an increase of $2 million over the amount provided in 1998-99. MAP was established in the early 1970s to increase public access to museum collections and to assist in the management and preservation of their resources.
Information:
Jacques Lefebvre
Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
BACKGROUNDER
MUSEUMS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Introduced in the early 1970s, the Museums Assistance Program (MAP) provides financial assistance to Canada's nonprofit professional museums and related institutions. The Program's aims are to facilitate public access to museum collections and to assist in the preservation and management of these resources.
Since 1972 the Program has provided more than $230 million in funding to the museum
community across Canada.
The Program provides project assistance to institutions on a matching basis in three priority areas: access and national outreach; aboriginal museum development; and organizational and professional development. The program provides funding for projects undertaken through traditional means as well as through the application of new technologies. Priorities for MAP funding include: projects which tell the Canadian story and promote inter-provincial perspectives such as traveling exhibitions, outreach, collaborative initiatives and partnerships; projects which foster and support Aboriginal museum development; projects which support and encourage exchanges and dialogue between Canadian museum organizations and professionals.
The Program is co-managed by the Department's Heritage Branch and the Regional Offices of the Department of Canadian Heritage located in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Moncton. All projects are submitted under an annual competitive process, and are assessed through national and regional peer review panels.
Over the years, the Program has had a significant impact on museum practices and activities. MAP funding in support of public access has helped museums preserve and document their collections, produce and circulate exhibitions, deliver interpretive public programs and upgrade professional skills.
The annual funding for MAP of $9.4 million demonstrates an ongoing commitment from the Government of Canada to increase access to Canada's heritage and enable Canadians in all parts of the country gain a greater appreciation of their collective heritage. Excluding the appropriations made to the four National Museums located in the national capital region, the Government of Canada's funding to museums and heritage institutions through various programs totals approximately $14 million annually, including the Museums Assistance Program.
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