THE FUTURE IS COLLABORATION:
THAT’S A WRAP!
Today, more than ever, we understand that more inclusive and collaborative partnerships help make our museums better. This April 9-11th in Niagara Falls, almost 400 delegates came together for our first in-person conference in four years to ponder our collaborative future! Our sector has seen a lot of changes over these last few years, and it was gratifying to see so many energized museum professionals come together.
In the spirit of collaboration, our delegate tote bags came from a unique and significant partnership between Latinos Positivos, Toronto People with AIDS Foundation, the Textile Museum of Canada and the CMA. Designed by Roger Artiga and made by members of Latinos Positivos with the support of the staff and several volunteers at the Textile Museum of Canada, the materials came from the museum’s re-use program (see article on page 44). The bag is a valuable tool for HIV and human rights education, aimed at ending stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. We are grateful to those who created these one-of-a-kind mementos.
CMA Board of Directors.
Under the theme The Future Is Collaboration, the conference focused on increasing collaboration within the cultural heritage sector. Sessions focused on collaboration in the areas of climate action, supporting Indigenous self-determinations, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The committee set out to create a conference program that highlighted innovative and practical collaborative approaches in these areas, as well as in the areas of governance, exhibits, fundraising, and small museums’ critical role in shaping the future of museums.
Our keynote speakers reflected on these collaborative futures in their areas of expertise. A conversation between Dr. Bernadette Lynch and CMA Executive Director Janis Monture provided a retrospective on collaborative approaches in museums, punctuated by Dr. Lynch’s key learnings over the course of her career. Diane Gistal expressed how museums need to move beyond consulting communities in museum spaces to engaging and exchanging with community spaces in ways that centre community care. Jolene Rickard discussed how supporting Indigenous sovereignty and anti-colonial futures in museums requires creating space for Indigenous histories. Caitlin Southwick outlined how the museum sector can immediately promote sustainability through changing approaches to climate control.
Conference attendees observing the solar eclipse. From left to right: Dr. Marianne Mader, Executive Director of Canadian Science Centres; Danielle Tremblay, Director of Communications at the CMA; Janis Monture, Executive Director and CEO of the CMA.
We also had fun! The eclipse event and pre-conference tours provided delegates with opportunities to meet ahead of the official conference program. The opening reception was energizing, as evidenced by the line at the photobooth. The photobooth featured our unique conference branding by artist Jessica Bromley Bartram, who worked with our conference committee to develop and design our little quilting monsters. They are illustrating cooperative crafting, a reference to the collaborative theme of our conference.
Networking events brought together communities within the museum sector to share challenges, opportunities and build connections with colleagues. The evening trivia event was an opportunity for some friendly competition. We celebrated the closing of the conference at the Niagara Power Plant, which included the opportunity for guest to walk through a tunnel to the base of the Falls—a unique highlight that showcased their natural wonder.
From left to right: 2024 National Conference Committee members Soren Brothers, Mike Wallace, Shawna Butts, Rhonda Yearwood, Stephanie Danyluk, Lorenda Calvert, Nicole Henbrey, Tarah Hogue. Photo — Kerry’s Klips Photography. Not pictured: Sam Cronk, Rebecca MacKenzie, Elizabeth McCrea, Kristyn Rolanty.
Like Niagara Falls, the conference was a powerful force of collaboration and flow of knowledge. Just as the Falls unite the waters from different sources into one magnificent place, the conference brought together diverse perspectives and expertise to create a dynamic exchange of ideas. Attendees were swept up in the momentum, propelled by the surge of energy and enthusiasm. With the conference’s conclusion, I hope its impact lingers like the mist from the Falls, re-energizing our sector.
On behalf of the CMA’s 2024 National Conference Committee, I would like to thank our delegates, sponsors, presenters, exhibitors and CMA staff for coming together to create an overwhelmingly successful event.
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