Museums funding supports projects to interpret and preserve Yukon heritage

May 23, 2017

Ten Yukon museums, including two First Nation cultural centres, have received a total of $333,000 for a variety of capital projects that will support them in their efforts to preserve and interpret their invaluable collections and share their stories.

Examples of the 2017 projects include a topographical map installation at the Kluane Museum of Natural History, a new awareness campaign at the Old Log Church, and exhibit planning and development at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre.

Quotes

“Yukon museums and cultural centres invite Yukoners and visitors alike to engage with our territory’s past. These facilities present Yukon’s diverse traditions of First Nations, fascinating industrial history and transportation developments. Funding for special projects allows museums and cultural centres to continue to highlight our territory’s past in many unique ways.”

–Minister of Tourism and Culture Jeanie Dendys

“The Special Capital Projects Assistance Program is essential to a variety of projects. This year we are curating an exhibit to showcase the world renowned works of Kitty Smith. Not only does the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre benefit from these funds but it also allows the community to have access to the art, knowledge and significant contributions of Kwanlin Dün First Nation citizens.”

–Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre cultural programs coordinator Krista Reid

Quick facts

• The Special Capital Projects Assistance Program is an annual fund made available to Yukon’s 18 museums and cultural centres to apply for funding for a variety of projects including joint marketing initiatives, artifact inventory and cataloguing, exhibit planning and development, small or specialized capital acquisitions, conservation and revenue generation.
• A panel of museum professionals review and assess applications based on how well the projects fit the program criteria.
• Museums and cultural centres are among the most popular tourist attractions in Yukon, welcoming more than 125,000 visitors annually.

See backgrounder.

Contact:

Sunny Patch
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7478
sunny.patch@gov.yk.ca

Heather LeDuc
Communications, Tourism and Culture
867-667-8066
heather.leduc@gov.yk.ca

Backgrounder

Special Projects Capital Assistance Program – 2017/18

	Applicant	Name of Project	Amount Allocated
1	Miles Canyon Historic Railway Society (Copperbelt Railway and Mining Museum)	What We Mine	$20,000
2	Miles Canyon Historic Railway Society (Copperbelt Railway and Mining Museum)	Systems integration project	$11,027
3	Dawson City Museum Society	Locomotive shelter refurbishment	$40,000
4	Dawson City Museum	S.S. Princess Sophia centennial commemorative exhibit	$19,989
5	Teslin Historical and Museums Association (George Johnston Museum)	Engaging a new workforce project	$20,000
6	Kluane Museum of Natural History Society	Topographical map installation and exhibit maintenance	$19,998
7	Kwanlin Dün Cultural Society (Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre)	Exhibit planning and development	$20,000
8	MacBride Museum Society	Expansion exhibition storyboard	$40,000
9	MacBride Museum Society	Partnerships and revenue streams	$40,000
10	Town of Watson Lake (Northern Lights Centre)	Aurora, Lights of Wonder	$20,000
11	Yukon Church Heritage Society (Old Log Church Museum)	Expanding audience reach	$18,300
12	Yukon Church Heritage Society (Old Log Church Museum)	New awareness campaign	$11,866
13	Teslin Tlingit Council (Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre)	Audio-visual upgrade	$20,000
14	Teslin Tlingit Council (Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre)	Exhibit lighting, customize cabinetry, theatre development	$9,680
15	Yukon Transportation Museum Society	Dedicated research and collections space	$22,140
		Total:	$333,000

NT5