BC Museums Week 2023: Museums Change Lives
May 14- 20, 2023 | #BCMW23
Join the BCMA from May 14-20 in Sharing Stories of How Museums, Galleries, and Heritage Institutions Change Lives
If you believe in the transformative power of museums, join the BC Museums Association and members in communities across the province in sharing stories of how our sector changes lives. From the public backlash to the modernization of the Royal BC Museum, to recent closures of galleries and museums, to local, provincial, and federal budgets not prioritizing investment in culture, it has never been more important to tell the story of why museums/galleries/heritage sites/science centres matter.
This year for BC Museums Week, we are curating stories of the impact of museums and sharing new resources designed to help you make the case why your work is critical to the vibrancy of your community.
Share the story of how you are changing lives in your community by using the hashtag #BCMW23 on Facebook and Instagram.
2023 Media Kit
May 14-20 is BC Museums Week and on International Museum Day (Thursday, May 18), we call upon our members to share a story about the impact you have on the lives of your community.
Explore social media assets, letter templates and graphics for your advocacy efforts!
2023 BC Museums Week Schedule
More details will be added as they are announced!
Sunday
May 14
Advocacy for your Institution Resources
Curated resources to help you advocate for your organization.
2023 BCMA Sector Survey
Small Museum Advocacy 101
Many museums think that advocacy isn’t crucial. However, if you receive any funding from any level of government – or would like to receive funding from them – you need to let them know you are important.
Museums Matter Advocacy Letter
Show that museums matter – Send a letter to your MLA and BC’s new Premier
Advocacy Toolkit: Making the case for your museum
Building strong relationships and lasting partnerships with local government officials is the first step on this path for support,
Bold Board: Building stronger relations with government
Hear from our panelists Joshua Seymour, Councillor for the Lheidli t’enneh, Brian McBay, Director of 221A, and Katherine Scouten, Business and Economic Development Consultant and previous board president of The Exploration Place.
Take action: Advocate for museums
The financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic puts at risk the future of museums and the livelihood of museum professionals worldwide.
Webinar: Institutes and Advocacy
Learn how advocacy can build awareness about the value and impacts of the cultural sector among policymakers and the general public.
BC Local Government 101
A brief overview of BC’s unique local government system, with online resources.
Stories of Economic Impact & Resilience in the Cultural Sector
Insights from Five Culture and Heritage Organizations in BC.
Monday
Virtual Advocacy Bootcamp
May 15
11 am – 1 pm
Do you want to tell the story of the impact of your institution and of our sector as a whole but don’t know where to start? Join the BCMA for a hands-on 2-hour virtual bootcamp where you will get the opportunity to participate and ask questions about:
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- Letter writing
- How to connect with your MLA/MP/local government
- How and why to publish op-eds in your local paper
- Getting started with advocacy
- Where to find advocacy mentors
Virtual Advocacy Bootcamp
Virtual Advocacy Bootcamp - Do you want to tell the story of the impact of your institution and of our sector as a whole but don’t know where to start? Join the BCMA for a hands-on 2-hour virtual bootcamp.
Tuesday
BC Museum Portraits, Interview with Spencer Stuart
May 16
Spencer Stuart is travelling across British Columbia speaking with museum workers in communities large and small as part of the BC Museum Portraits project. Join Spencer and BCMA Program Manager Lorenda Calvert for a discussion about shared themes from these museum portraits and reflect on the valuable role that museums and their workers play in their communities.
New Podcast!
Listen to an interview with Spencer Stuart on the BC Museum Portraits project.
Wednesday
Effective Government Relations & Advocacy for Small Museums, Galleries, and Cultural Institutions
May 17
12 – 1pm
As part of BC Museums Weeks 2023, the BCMA is working to empower our members to be more effective community advocates and storytellers. While the idea of building relationships with governments can be daunting for small museums, galleries, and cultural institutions, it provides an excellent opportunity to tell the story of your impact and to ensure that decision-makers are aware of your work. Join the BCMA as we speak with Spencer Chandra Herbert, M.L.A, Deputy Speaker, Vancouver West-End, Jim Rutkowski, a government relations specialist with nearly 30 years experience working in BC, Alberta, and globally, and others about building relationships with all levels of government and learning strategies for effective advocacy.
Effective Government Relations & Advocacy for Small Museums, Galleries, and Cultural Institutions
Join the BCMA as we speak with Spencer Chandra Herbert, M.L.A, Deputy Speaker, Vancouver West-End, Jim Rutkowski, a government relations specialist with nearly 30 years experience working in BC, Alberta, and globally, and others about building relationships with all levels of government and learning strategies for effective advocacy.
Thursday
May 18
Stories of Museum Impact
Hear stories of impact this BC Museums Week. Click on a story to explore!
Friday
May 19
Best of BCMW
