[BCMA] NEWS RELEASE: Museums make life better for British Columbians: Celebrate BC Museums Week May 18-24, 2019

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 16, 2019



*MUSEUMS MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR BRITISH COLUMBIANS*

Celebrate BC Museums Week May 18-24, 2019



*VICTORIA, BC* – From May 18-24, it’s time to celebrate the role museums,
art galleries, historic sites, cultural centres and other memory
institutions play in making life better for British Columbians. BC Museums
Week starts on International Museum Day and takes place right after
International Museum Week, tapping into a worldwide event that unites the
global cultural sector on social networks by using the same hashtag.



“Museums are at the heart of their communities,” says Erica Mattson,
Executive Director of the BC Museums Association. “Museums preserve local
history and culture, provide learning opportunities for all age groups,
help create economic opportunities and provide spaces for the community to
gather together.”



There are a variety of activities planned throughout the province during BC
Museums Week including free admission at the *Nanaimo Museum and Bastion*
on International Museum Day on May 18th, a new exhibit at the *Creston
Museum* showcasing the impact of logging and sawmills in the Creston Valley
and the seasonal opening of the *Huble Homestead* in Prince George where
visitors can welcome new animals to the farm and learn about pioneer
families’ spring activities. Find out what’s happening for BC Museums Week
in your community by visiting http://bit.ly/BCMuseumsWeek2019Events or
follow *#BCMuseums* on social media.



The BC government recently made strategic investments in the cultural
sector to help build strong, connected communities throughout the province.
As part of Budget 2019, the government invested an additional $15 million
over the next three years to BC Arts Council, which will have a direct
impact on BC museums. One-time grants through the *BC|Canada 150* program
helped museums upgrade local facilities and develop new exhibits, and *Family
Day grants* allowed BC museums to host free special events for families to
enjoy with their neighbours on the holiday weekend in February.



“Our museums, art galleries, historic sites, cultural centres and other
institutions do an incredible job in presenting stories of British Columbia,
” says Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “I am thrilled
that this year’s BC Museums Week will showcase Indigenous languages and
culture in honour of the International Year of Indigenous Languages. This
is an excellent chance for people to immerse themselves in the power of
language and learn more about this important part of B.C.’s heritage.”

The United Nations has declared 2019 the “International Year of Indigenous
Languages.” During BC Museums Week, several museums, cultural centres and
heritage groups will be showcasing Indigenous languages and culture.
The *Museum
of Vancouver* is offering $2 admission all day on May 18th and two special
tours of the *Haida Now* exhibit, which is a visual feast of innovation and
tradition. At the *Royal BC Museum* in Victoria, visitors can explore the
interactive *Living Languages* exhibit to hear a greeting in one of the 34
First Nations languages and learn more about how First Nations communities
are working to make sure their languages survive.



*About BC Museums*

·       Total revenues for B.C.’s museums sector are estimated at over $225
million annually.

·       Over 4,400 people are employed by B.C.’s museums sector.

·       Over 19,000 volunteers contribute over 1 million hours of work each
year in museums and heritage institutions.

·       11 million annual visitors to B.C. heritage institutions

·       33.7 million visits to museums’ digital collections



*Source: Government of Canada Survey of Heritage Institutions: 2017*



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*About the BC Museums Association:*

Founded in 1957, the British Columbia Museums Association (BCMA) creates a
bright future for British Columbia’s museum, gallery, and related heritage
communities through networking, advocacy, innovation, and professional
development. It delivers programs and services to the benefit of its
members and the sector at large, acting as the cultural and heritage
information hub for British Columbia while providing a unified voice for
the institutions, trustees, professional staff and volunteers.



*Contact:*

Erica Mattson, Executive Director, BCMA

Tel: 778-679-4568; emattson at museumsassn.bc.ca
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