<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">May 16, 2019</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black">MUSEUMS MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR BRITISH COLUMBIANS</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Celebrate BC
Museums Week May 18-24, 2019</span><span style="color:black"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black">VICTORIA,
BC</span></b><span style="color:black"> – 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. <b></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">“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.” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">There are a
variety of activities planned throughout the province during BC Museums Week
including free admission at the <b>Nanaimo
Museum and Bastion</b> on International Museum Day on May 18<sup>th</sup>,</span><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> a new exhibit at the <b>Creston Museum</b> showcasing t</span><span style="color:black">he impact of logging and
sawmills in the Creston Valley and the seasonal opening of the <b>Huble Homestead</b> in Prince George where
visitors can welcome new animals to the farm and learn about pioneer families’
spring activities. </span><span style="color:black">Find out what’s
happening for BC Museums Week in your community by visiting </span><a href="http://bit.ly/BCMuseumsWeek2019Events" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)" target="_blank"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">http://bit.ly/BCMuseumsWeek2019Events</span></a><span style="color:black"> or follow <b>#BCMuseums</b>
on social media.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">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 </span><span style="color:black">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 <i>BC|Canada 150</i> program helped museums upgrade local facilities and
develop new exhibits, and <i>Family Day
grants</i> allowed BC museums to host free special events for families to enjoy
with their neighbours on the holiday weekend in February. <span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">“</span><span style="color:black">Our museums,
art galleries, historic sites, cultural centres and other institutions do an
incredible job in presenting stories of British Columbia,</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">”</span><span style="color:black"> says Lisa
Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. </span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">“</span><span style="color:black">I am thrilled that this year</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">’</span><span style="color:black">s </span><span style="color:black">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.</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">’</span><span style="color:black">s heritage.</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">”</span><span style="color:black"> </span><span style="color:black"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">The United
Nations has declared 2019 the “</span><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">International
Year of Indigenous Languages.” </span><span style="color:black">During BC
Museums Week, several museums, cultural centres and heritage groups will be
showcasing Indigenous languages and culture. The <b>Museum of Vancouver</b> is offering $2 admission all day on May 18<sup>th</sup>
and two special tours of the <i>Haida Now</i>
exhibit, which is a </span><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">visual
feast of innovation and tradition. At the <b>Royal
BC Museum</b> in Victoria, visitors can explore the interactive <i>Living Languages</i> <span style="letter-spacing:0.1pt">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.</span></span><span style="color:black"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black">About BC
Museums</span></b></p><p class="m_552226596877389700gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol;color:black">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="color:black">Total revenues for B.C.’s museums sector are
estimated at over $225 million annually. </span></p><p class="m_552226596877389700gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol;color:black">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="color:black">Over 4,400 people are employed by B.C.’s
museums sector.</span></p><p class="m_552226596877389700gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol;color:black">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="color:black">Over 19,000 volunteers contribute over 1
million hours of work each year in museums and heritage institutions.</span></p><p class="m_552226596877389700gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol;color:black">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="color:black">11 million annual visitors to B.C. heritage
institutions</span></p><p class="m_552226596877389700gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol;color:black">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="color:black">33.7 million visits to museums’ digital
collections</span></p><p class="m_552226596877389700gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><i><span style="color:black">Source:
Government of Canada Survey of Heritage Institutions: 2017</span></i><span style="color:black"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">-30-</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black">About
the BC Museums Association:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">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. </span><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">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.</span><span style="color:black"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black">Contact:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Erica Mattson, Executive Director, BCMA</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Tel: 778-679-4568; </span><a href="mailto:emattson@museumsassn.bc.ca" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)" target="_blank"><span style="color:black">emattson@museumsassn.bc.ca</span></a><u><span style="color:black"></span></u></p></div>