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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS 04-20city PICKERING Report to Council Report Number: CS O4-20 Date: May 25, 2020 From: Marisa Carpino Director, Community Services & Deputy CAO Subject: Pickering Museum Village - Policies - File: A-1440 Recommendation: 1. That Council endorse Pickering Museum Village Policies as set out in Attachments 1 and 2 to this report, subject to minor revisions acceptable to the Director, Community Services & Deputy CAO; and, 2. That the appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the necessary actions as indicated in this report. Executive Summary: Pickering Museum Village has updated two existing Policies to be reflective of the current operations of the Museum. These Policies are CUL 040 Interpretation Policy and CUL 050 Exhibit Policy. The purpose of this report is to seek Council's endorsement of these Pickering Museum Village Policies. Financial Implications: The Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries provides an annual grant of approximately $39,000 to Pickering Museum Village through the Community Museums Operating Grant. The adoption of these updated Pickering Museum Village Policies will retain compliance with guidelines set by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries and will maintain the Museum's grant eligibility. Discussion: Pickering Museum Village has updated two Policies that are required by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries. These are the first in a series of policies which will be updated in order to meet the requirements of Ontario Museums as established by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries. These requirements set best practice standards for the operation of community museums in Ontario, enable museums to flourish in programming, and protect the material culture of our communities. As set out in Attachments 1 and 2 respectively, the Pickering Museum Village Policies for Council's approval include: • CUL 040 Interpretation Policy • CUL 050 Exhibit Policy CS -31-17 December 4, 2017 Subject: Pickering Museum Village Policies Page 2 These Policies benefit the Museum in several ways. The Policies create a clear set of guidelines, best practices, and processes to protect and preserve the material culture of Pickering. The Policies also enable the City to qualify and be considered for various Provincial Grants programs including the Community Museum Operating Grant. Lastly, these Policies bolster Pickering Museum Village's status as an entrusted site for future artifact acquisitions and donations. Attachments: 1. CUL 040 Interpretation Policy 2. CUL 050 Exhibit Policy Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By: 6 Laura Gibbs Supervisor, Museum Services LG:mc P--'. Marisa Carpino Director, Community Services & Deputy CAO Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council Tony Prevedel, P.Eng. Chief Administrative Officer et il 4 DICKERING Attachment No. 1 to Report CS O4-20 Policy Policy Title: Pickering Museum Village Interpretation Policy Policy Number CUL 040 Reference Res. # TBD Date Originated (m/d/y) December 11, 2017 Date Revised (m/d/y) May 25, 2020 Pages 11 Approval: Chief Administrative Officer Point of Contact Supervisor, Museum Services Policy Objective Pickering Museum Village (hereinafter referred to as "PMV") aims to ignite imaginations through a living history museum that fosters a connection to Pickering by collecting, preserving, and interpreting artifacts and social culture. The purpose of this policy is to assist staff in developing high quality interpretative experiences that are based on a shared understanding of interpretative guidelines. As a participant in the Community Museum Operating Grant Funding program, and as outlined in the Standards for Community Museums, PMV is required to have an Interpretation Policy. Index 01 Definitions 02 Guiding Principles 03 Policy Review 01 Definitions 01.01 Interpretation — There are numerous definitions of interpretation. As a communications process, interpretation is not merely a means for providing information. At its core, ideas, feelings, and dialogue are used to create a process of communication that reveals meanings, relationships, and appreciation of artifacts, buildings, landscapes, specimens, and intangible subjects. "Heritage interpretation is any communication process designed to reveal meanings and relationships of cultural and natural heritage to the public, through first-hand involvement with an object, artifact, landscape or site (Interpretation Canada, 1976)". 02 Guiding Principles 02.01 Inclusive Interpretation: The stories that PMV tell must be inclusive and mindful of factors such as age, gender, ethnicity and socio -economics. We strive to be aware of sensitive subject matter, cultural understanding and special needs. Our interpretation will aim to take into account all groups, individuals and factors that have made significant contributions to the heritage of Pickering. 02.02 Diversity of Interpretative Strategies: PMV recognizes the importance of offering a variety of interpretative experiences to meet the varying needs and interests of different audiences. 02.03 Authority and Engagement: PMV strives to communicate and engage visitors with authority recognizing the responsibilities inherent in this public trust. The museum strives to present accurate interpretative information that is connected to the PMV's mandate, in the most accessible and engaging way possible to enable visitors to reach their own understanding of Pickering's natural and cultural history. PMV will promote understanding by placing local stories into a broader context, making connections to other events, people, places and stories to encourage a deeper interpretation of a subject. 02.04 Research: PMV will use primary sourced material, archaeological material culture, artifact study, collections records, and the most current and authoritative research and scholarship available to conduct research. PMV will also conduct research into interpretative methods including programming, visitor experience, marketing, and other areas of operations. PMV is committed to ongoing research to support interpretation. 02.05 Planning: PMV strives to align interpretation strategies to the PMV Strategic Plan and Pickering's Cultural Strategic Plan. PMV staff will employ various methods to plan and improve interpretative programs. PMV aims to make use of an interpretative plan that identifies cohesive thematic and chronological themes based on the artifacts and collections of the museum. 02.06 Best Practice and Innovation: PMV places a high priority on providing dynamic experiences that encourage repeat visitation of the museum. The museum strives to be responsive to new and emerging interpretative practices and principles that will improve inclusion, quality of experience, and relevance to our visitors. 02.07 Training, Skills Development and Lifelong Learning: PMV is committed to ongoing training to develop capacity and maintain high standards in interpretative methods and customer service for staff and volunteers. 02.08 Multi -disciplinary Approach: While the PMV interprets the history of Pickering, the museum will present a multi -disciplinary approach that considers all aspects of the cultural, social, and natural historical significance. PMV aims to offer Policy Title: Pickering Museum Village Interpretation Policy Policy Number: CUL 040 Page 2 of 3 interpretation from a multi -faceted context including: natural environment, geographic setting, intangible cultural heritage, spiritual traditions, stories, music, dance, theatre, literature, visual arts, local customs, and culinary heritage; scholarly research, historical records, and living traditions. 02.09 Evaluation: PMV recognizes the value of ongoing evaluation of both existing and planned interpretative programs. PMV will evaluate our efforts for interpretative impact and the degree to which PMV interpretation increases visitors' knowledge and understanding of Pickering's natural and cultural heritage. PMV strives to employ a variety of evaluation techniques. 02.10 Use of and Respect for the Collection and Facility: The requirements of preservation, and respect for the fragility and security of the collection are paramount, while accepting the realities of use of artifacts and heritage buildings for the purposes of education and interpretation. Effective interpretation will encourage appropriate visitor behaviour and attitudes towards preventative conservation of the heritage resources for future generations. 02.11 Partnership and Shared Interpretation: In order to present a diversity of interpretative strategies and a multi -disciplinary approach, PMV will seek to work with partners to research, create, curate and interpret elements that support PMV's mission. 03 Policy Review 03.01 This Policy will be reviewed a minimum of every three years. Please refer to all associated Procedures and Standard Operating Procedures, if applicable, for detailed processes regarding this Policy. Policy Title: Pickering Museum Village Interpretation Policy Policy Number: CUL 040 Page 3 of 3 et il 4 DICKERING Attachment No. 2 to Report CS O4-20 Policy Procedure Title: Pickering Museum Village Exhibit Policy Policy Number CUL 050 Reference Resolution #373/17 Resolution # ???/20 Date Originated (m/d/y) December 11, 2017 Date Revised (m/d/y) May 25, 2020 Pages 2 Approval: Chief Administrative Officer Point of Contact Supervisor, Museum Services Policy Objective The purpose of this Policy is to identify and define the roles and responsibilities of the Pickering Museum Village (hereinafter referred to as "PMV") in developing, presenting, and evaluating effective and high quality exhibit programs that engage the public, and that align with, and support the PMV's governing principles (Corporate Mission, Vision and Values). Index 01 Definitions 02 Exhibit Planning and Design 03 Use of Artifacts and Materials in Exhibits 04 Policy Review 01 Definitions 01.01 Exhibit — A collection of artifacts, artworks, images, audio recordings, videos, stories, or other materials that is curated and displayed for the public. 01.02 Permanent Exhibits — Permanent exhibits have a multi-year duration. Artifacts or interpretative elements may change within the exhibit; however, the themes and core interpretative components of the exhibit are planned to be displayed for multiple years. 01.03 Temporary Exhibits — PMV develops and hosts temporary exhibits that are displayed for a finite time period. 01.04 Travelling Exhibits — PMV develops or hosts exhibits that may travel to different locations or host institutions. 01.05 Virtual Exhibits — PMV develops or hosts exhibits that are intangible in nature. These may include curated web exhibits, oral histories, projections or audio exhibits. 02 Exhibit Planning and Design 02.01 Exhibit planning will be carried out by Museum staff in alignment with the PMV Strategic Plan and Corporate Mission, Vision and Values. 02.02 Depending on the type of exhibit, PMV may consult with members of a community, specialists, or the Pickering community in general to solicit input on the theme and design of the exhibit. 02.03 The interpretative material developed around an exhibit is designed to meet the needs of targeted audiences and is respectful and accessible in its use of language. 02.04 Interactive displays shall be maintained in good working order, so as not to pose a safety risk to visitors, staff, volunteers, or artifacts. 03 Use of Artifacts and Materials in Exhibits 03.01 Artifacts included in exhibit displays, sourced from the PMV collection are subject to the Collections Development and Policy CUL 010 and the Pickering Museum Village Conservation Policy CUL 020. 03.02 Artifacts borrowed from other collections for the purpose of the PMV exhibits will be indemnified. 03.03 Display materials, artifacts and artworks sourced from individuals, purchased for the purpose of the exhibit, or borrowed from other collections will be subject to approval by the Supervisor, Museum Services. 03.04 The PMV shall comply with copyright legislation when exhibiting photographs or works of art. 03.05 The PMV shall publicly credit institutions, artists, funders, or donors who contribute to an exhibition. 04 Policy Review 04.01 This Policy will be reviewed a minimum of every three years. Please refer to all associated Procedures and Standard Operating Procedures, if applicable, for detailed processes regarding this Policy. Policy Title: Pickering Museum Village Exhibit Policy Page 2 of 2 Policy Number: CUL 050