Inspiring Museum Educators Bursary

The Bursary

The BCMA offers a selection of annual funding opportunities to support the ongoing professional development of our members. Established with the support Dr. Lisa McIntosh in 2023, this bursary encourages the pursuit of excellence in education within the museum, gallery and heritage sector. The Inspiring Museum Educators Bursary provides up to $2,000 for staff or volunteers of BC Museums Association’s Institutional or Individual Members, to engage in an educational opportunity (course, seminar, workshop or conference) that supports the development of new skills, innovative approaches and novel ways of thinking about teaching and learning in informal settings.

Museum Education Roundtable Membership

Each recipient of the Inspiring Museum Educators Bursary will also receive an annual online membership to the Museum Education Roundtable as a way to extend learning throughout the year. The membership provides online access to the Journal of Museum Education and the Visitor Studies Journal. More details

Eligibility

Museum educators support the learning that occurs at museums, galleries, science centers, parks, aquariums, and other informal learning sites. Museum educators develop and facilitate experiences that evoke curiosity, critical thinking and wonder, and help contextualize the museum within its community. They use a variety of approaches including curriculum-based programming, public programming, interpretation, and exhibitions.

Bursary applications are invited from BC Museums Association Institutional Members on behalf of staff or volunteers, or from Individual Members. Learn more about the benefits of being a BCMA member here. If becoming a BCMA member is a barrier for you, please reach out to us at bcma@museum.bc.ca.

There is no restriction on the training provider. Consideration will be given to both credit and non-credit educational opportunities.

Eligible expenses include but are not limited to consultant fees, tuition or registration fees, travel, and textbooks.

Evaluation

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Financial need of the institution or individual making the application.
• Suitability and proven commitment of the individual(s) nominated; and,
• Value for money of the training selected. Tuition and expenses for a credit course at a local college or university may be rated higher than an application for fees, travel, and accommodation for a three-day workshop in Vancouver, for example.

Available funds

The BCMA provides up to $2,000 annually for members to engage in educational opportunities related to museum education.

Inspiration

Explore select professional development opportunities: