ROM Toronto. Photo Credit: NewCa.com

TORONTO 🗿🏺 Deputy Mayor Jennifer Mckelvie Proclaims May as Museums Month in Toronto, Announces Full Lineup of Museum Programming

Monday, 01 May 2023 10:18.AM

Today, Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park) proclaimed May as Museum Month in Toronto: https://www.toronto.ca/ci.../.

Museum Month celebrates the contributions of local museums to their communities. Celebrating in May coincides with International Museum Day on Thursday, May 18. This year’s theme of “museums, sustainability and wellbeing” encourages all to realize museums’ full potential for sustainable development and wellbeing.

Continuing in 2023, Toronto History Museums are undergoing a transformation. Programming and exhibits are rethinking historical interpretations and showcasing histories that are lesser discussed. Historians and curators in Toronto and around the world are actively working to highlight stories that advance reconciliation, anti-racism and anti-oppression. Museums are making changes to make stories more diverse and inclusive, including looking at history from other perspectives.

Toronto History Museums have returned to a full schedule of in-person programming this year. The City’s 10 museum sites, which remain free and accessible to the public, provide unique and immersive programming for residents and visitors.

Youth Volunteer Program
Starting today, Monday, May 1, the Toronto History Museums Youth Volunteer Program is accepting new volunteer applications. Running year-round, the successful Youth Volunteer Program will expand its program across the city and at all Toronto History Museums this year. Youth across Toronto can volunteer virtually and in person, developing skills and learning about Toronto’s diverse histories. Volunteer opportunities are currently offered for high-school youth between ages 14 and 18. Learn more and apply on the City’s website: https://www.toronto.ca/co.../.

May programming highlights include:

Doors Open Toronto
Toronto History Museums will offer site tours as part of Doors Open Toronto, presented by Great Gulf on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information is available on the City’s Doors Open Toronto webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/ex.../.

Dis/Mantle
Museum visitors can experience the Afrofuturism immersive art exhibit, Dis/Mantle, at Spadina Museum before it ends on May 28. The City is grateful to community partner the Toronto Raptors and media partner 106.5 ELMNT FM for supporting Dis/Mantle as part of the Awakenings program.

Guests are invited to come out on Saturday, May 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for The ReBuild, a family-friendly event that celebrates the legacy of the Dis/Mantle exhibit with music, poetry, science and more. More information is available on the City’s Dis/Mantle webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/ex.../.

Women of Courage exhibition
A culmination of work from CultureLink’s Women of Courage Project, Women of Courage celebrates, amplifies and centres the underrepresented voices of racialized immigrant women. New works are on view until Sunday, May 7, at Gibson House Museum and then at Montgomery's Inn from Wednesday, May 10, to Sunday, June 4.

Spring Salon Series
On May 6, 7, 13 and 14, the 2023 Spring Salon Series at the Gibson House Museum will feature 45-minute chamber performances by small ensembles representing the traditional music of China, Iran, Japan and Korea.

Transforming Grief: Loss and Togetherness in COVID-19 This free and accessible exhibition brings together interviews, art and artifacts representing the collective voices of community members, artists, front-line workers, activists and volunteers and conveys how we experienced and continue to experience the pandemic. On view until January 7, 2024, at Fort York National Historic Site, Visitor Centre (250 Fort York Blvd.).

For the full list of May programming, visit the Exhibits & Events webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/ex.../.

Entry to all 10 Toronto History Museums is free for everyone. Residents and visitors can get the latest information on all the exciting May programming on the Toronto History Museum webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/ex.../.

The City is an internationally recognized leader in transforming its museum spaces, recently winning national (2021 and 2022) and international (2022) awards. It remains committed to dismantling museum’s established and ongoing colonial legacies, working towards reconciliation and healing.

“It's Museum Month in the City of Toronto and there is no better time to visit the City's museums. Toronto History Museums collect, research, exhibit and enhance the understanding of the city’s diverse stories through engaging and exciting experiences. Admission to these museums is free so all residents of all ages can learn about Toronto's past, present and future.”
– Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee

“There’s something for everyone to enjoy at Toronto History Museums. It’s great to see our museums returning to their full programming schedule and to see them expand the Youth Volunteer Program to seven locations. I encourage young people across the city to apply to this unique and exciting volunteer opportunity.”
– Councillor Shelley Carroll (Don Valley North), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee

“Toronto History Museums is committed to dismantling museums’ ongoing colonial legacies and working towards fostering reconciliation and healing. Focusing on uplifting voices and providing platforms for expression, 2023 museum programming focuses not only an awakening for us all but is grounded in healing and sustainability. Toronto History Museums represent all Torontonians and are spaces for all.”
– Cheryl Blackman, Director, Museums and Heritage Services

SOURCE: City of Toronto

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