Ottawa, September 8, 2021
Call for Nominations: The Governor General's History Award for Excellence in Museums: History Alive!
In partnership with Canada’s History and with support from Ecclesiastical, the Canadian Museums Association is now accepting nominations for the 2021 Governor General's History Award for Excellence in Museums: History Alive!
The goal of History Alive! is to honour significant achievement in the historical field and encourage standards of excellence specifically in the presentation, preservation and interpretation of national, regional or local history. This award recognizes individuals or institutions that have made remarkable contributions to a better knowledge of Canadian history.
We encourage museums of all sizes to apply. Nominees are considered on the basis of the quality of their research, presentation, preservation and interpretation of history, as well as the overall contribution and impact of their work to fostering a better understanding of our past. Please carefully consider the selection criteria when preparing their nominations.
Nominations will be assessed and the award recipient of History Alive! will be selected by a volunteer jury.
The deadline for nominations is September 26, 2021. Please be sure to pass along this open call to your colleagues.
More information, including eligibility information, selection criteria and application instructions is available here: https://museums.ca/site/awards/partnerawards/governorgeneral.
Supported by Ecclesiastical
Join the Jury
The CMA is looking for volunteer jurors to assess nominees against the selection criteria and recommend a winner. The assessment period will take place September 29 – October 7 and will require reviewing all nomination packages and attending a virtual 2-hour jury deliberation meeting.
Why volunteer?
Participating in an awards jury is a great way to support museums, learn more about museum projects happening in Canada and deepen your understanding of what goes into Canadian museology. Some of the benefits are:
- Exposure to diverse and innovative projects from across Canada;
- Greater involvement with the CMA;
- Professional development, especially for new committee members.
How does it work?
Jurors participate electronically, and the jury includes heritage professionals at different stages of their careers, representing Canada's wide range of cultural institutions and various regions. Jurors will evaluate project proposals remotely based on the provided selection criteria and will recommend a winner to the CMA.
Eligibility criteria:
- A museum professional (employee, volunteer, or retiree of a Canadian heritage organization);
- Fluent in one official language (however, the ability to review both official languages is preferred);
- Able to commit 10 – 15 hours to the evaluation of nominations during the review period.
- Previous Awards recipients can participate as jurors.
Interested? Please send a brief email to awards@museums.ca with the following information:
- Your contact information;
- Your experience in the museum community;
- List of all heritage sector employers or partners (past and present, to avoid any potential conflicts of interest);
- Your ability to review in either official language (French, English or both);
- Number of hours you are able to commit to the evaluation process.
The CMA would like to thank you for your interest. Should you not be selected for the Governor General Award Jury, you may be contacted to assist with the CMA Awards in the winter of 2022.
Disponible en français.