Federal grant to fund feasibility study into improvements at Bruce County Museum

The Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre has received a $15,000 grant the federal government's Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF) to support a feasibility study examining ways in which the museum can better serve the community.

The CCSF supports the improvement of physical conditions for artistic creativity and innovation. By supporting improvements to Canada’s cultural spaces, the CCSF increases access for Canadians to performing arts, visual arts, media arts, museum collections and heritage displays.

In 2014, the museum undertook a new strategic plan (2015-2020); part of the implementation of the strategic plan was an Accommodation Plan Review which took place in spring of 2016. This plan reviewed the museum's current footprint, assessed present and future needs, and made suggestions about optimizing and identifying the museum's future growth potential. The plan suggested several options, and identified a need for a feasibility study to test options further.

The museum has been in existence since 1955, and has seen two major expansions since its opening. Even though these expansions anticipated archival growth, in 2016 the museum was nearing capacity with no significant storage space remaining.

This creates pressure on all aspects of operation, and the archivist has noted an expected 20-per-cent growth in public donations and known transfers from Bruce County alone. In order to ensure continued growth of heritage collection and program offerings, a feasibility study is required in order to examine options for future growth.

“Investing in the Canadian cultural sector helps create jobs for the middle class, strengthens the economy and ensures that Canada’s unique perspective is shared with the world,” said Canadian heritage minister Mélanie Joly.

“The feasibility study was the next logical step, pending the recommendations from the accommodation plan," said museum director Cathy McGirr. "As always, we are pleased with the support of our community stakeholders in this process and now have a potential road map to address our concerns.”

The feasibility study was presented March 2 to Bruce County council, by Museum Planning Partners.