MMSt DAY TRIPPERS PART III: MARKHAM

WEEKEND EDITION

BY: MMSt GUEST BLOGGER KATHLEEN VAHEY

For the third and final time, I’ll be giving you a recap of the final MMSt day trip! On Friday, February 23rd, a handful of iSchool students braved what seemed like the only cold day in February and made the trek north to Markham. 

MMSt students listening to the staff at Markham Museum. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Vahey. 

Our first stop was the Markham Museum, where we learned about how the institution is changing their interpretation strategies and redefining their curatorial approach to the onsite historic buildings to be more engaging for its existing audiences. 

Laetitia, Nicole, and Emma participating in the
digital scavenger hunt at Markham Museum.
Photo courtesy of Kathleen Vahey.

After hearing a bit about the history of the museum and City of Markham, we got to explore parts of the 25-acre site all while participating in a digital survey about their curatorial decisions. The answers from this survey will help museum staff understand visitor perspectives.

After a quick lunch, we journeyed to the nearby Varley Art Gallery. There, we were provided with a tour of the gallery spaces and engaged in interesting discussions with the Gallery’s curator.

We were also given a tour of the collections storage area, where we were presented with two relevant ‘case studies’, aka real issues or problems the museum has faced and how they have dealt with them. Students were encouraged to think and respond to the case studies as well. Finally, we were given an introduction to the educational and public programming side of the Gallery as well.

Varley Art Gallery curator Anik Gaude speaks to MMSt & CRO students about the travelling exhibition on display. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Vahey.

Despite the cold temperature and the freezing rain, the day was full of engaging talks and interesting insights into the museum and cultural heritage field by a range of museum professionals. Take a look at some of the highlights from trip participants:

Hannah on a tractor in the interactive exhibit
at Markham Museum. Photo courtesy of
Kathleen Vahey.

"I felt seeing an art gallery and a revitalized historical pioneer museum in the same day was a great way to see different collections and exhibiting practices. The highlight was definitely the interactives for kids at the Markham Museum. I could have stayed and played for hours!" - Kristen McLaughlin

"Great to get the chance to talk to professionals about how they've been solving problems in their museums." - Sam Kilpatrick 

"I really liked all the interactives at the Markham Museum, especially the corn maze!" - Hannah Hadfield 

"So great meeting museum professionals and speaking candidly with them! It was such an awesome experience, especially at institutions you may not typically go to!"         - Nicole Kolkman 

"It was a very educative day. I especially liked visiting the vaults and storage areas of the museum and art gallery. It was great to learn and receive tips from various museum professionals."                 - Laetitia Dandavino-Tardif 

Viewing the art at the Varley Art Gallery.
Photo courtesy of Kathleen Vahey.

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to: Andrea Carpenter, Janet Reid, Mark Scheibmayr, and Tammy Law at Markham Museum; and Fraser Ching, Anik Glaude, and John Abrams at the Varley Art Gallery, for hosting MMSt and CRO students and for being so generous and eager to speak with us.

I would also like to thank Prof. Matt Brower for taking time out of his busy schedule to accompany us, as well as all the students who took a day out of their reading week. I hope you found the trip worthwhile.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who participated in the MMSt trips and who were excellent representatives of the Faculty of Information. It’s not an easy task to plan three separate day trips to multiple institutions throughout the year while also juggling planning other MUSSA social events, a full course load, and volunteering. While it is a bit hectic, it’s all worth it when we get to visit those institutions and speak to different museum professionals to see what they are doing and how it relates to what we are learning.

Good luck next year!

MMSt DAY TRIPPERS PART II: HAMILTON

WEEKEND EDITION

BY: GUEST MMSt BLOGGER KATHLEEN VAHEY

It’s me again with another recap of a MMSt day trip! This past Friday, November 10th, iSchool students, as well as a few guests from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, hopped on a bus to Hamilton. The day started off with an unconventional tour of Dundurn National Historic Site where trip participants learned about the interpretation strategies employed there. (Side note: there were free shortbread cookies, made in the historic kitchen, for us to try! DELICIOUS.)

Trip participants were greeted warmly at Dundurn NHS despite the cold! Photo courtesy of Kathleen Vahey.

After Dundurn, our trusty bus driver took us to the nearby Hamilton Civic Museums offsite collections storage facility where we learned about the facility, the recent collections management work, and conservation going on there. They recently had high-density storage shelving installed and the collections management geek in me gawked over the push button controls!

At the offsite collections storage facility! Photo courtesy of Kathleen Vahey.

For the next adventure, we met at the Art Gallery of Hamilton (AGH) and discussed the institution's history of collecting and their new collection and exhibition Carving Home: the Chedoke Collection of Inuit Art (if you haven’t seen this exhibition, I would highly recommend it – also, chat with a trip participant about the interesting dynamics of this collection). We also received a curatorial talk on the Shelley Niro: 1779 exhibition.

It was an engaging and delightful day, despite the cold weather. Take a look at the highlights written by trip participants:

"I was very interested to learn about the history and issues in the acquisition process of the AGH collection, as well as learning about their newest acquisitions: Inuit art from the Hamilton Hospital!" - Laetitia Dandavino-Tardif, MMSt student 

Tobi Bruce, Senior Curator of Canadian Historical Art, gives
insight on the Art Gallery of Hamilton's collection practices.
Photo courtesy of Kathleen Vahey.

"It was wonderful to have a different kind of access to museum professionals, and being given a behind-the-scenes tour and information not normally shared with the public. These trips are fantastic in bringing us closer to collections and making connections with Ontario museum professionals." - Lucy Beale, MMSt student 

"An amazing process around the Inuit collection. Will definitely be watching it closely." - William Ellis, University of the Western Cape

"Fantastic experience in Hamilton. Interesting processes and engagements. Excited to see the issues unravel." - Sam Longford, University of the Western Cape

"Hamilton heritage institutions are open and interesting in many ways. The trip was worth it. Thanks to the organizers. 2017 heritage studies class rocks." - Luvuyo Nduzo, University of the Western Cape

At the Art Gallery of Hamilton. Photo courtesy
of Kathleen Vahey.

"Thank you for arranging this very interesting field trip. It is really encouraging and inspiring hearing the Canadian museums' dedication to changing their collections, making them more inclusive and addressing past injustices." - Kristy Stone, University of the Western Cape 

"I really loved Dundurn. It was gorgeous and so interesting to get a combination of a regular tour and a kind of meta-tour with discussion of the tour process and practice themselves. The Art Gallery was great too, so interesting to see the thoughtful way they're handling the delicate Inuit collections." - Emily Williams, MMSt student

"So grateful for the opportunity not only to visit some interesting institutions and spend time with their resident experts, but also to have a chance to speak with and listen to my international museum studies colleagues! Thank you!" - Fiona Ashley, UK Museum Studies graduate 

Photo courtesy of Kathleen Vahey.

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to: Franca Hicks, Victoria Bick, and Janet Kronick at Dundurn NHS; Roberta Sealy at the storage facility; and Tobi Bruce and Melissa Bennett at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, for hosting iSchool students and guests at their institutions and for being so willing and eager to share some industry secrets, advice, and strategies with us.

I would also like to thank Prof. Cara Krmpotich for accompanying us and for bringing along iSchool guests and museum professionals from South Africa on the trip. Their questions and conversations greatly enhanced the tours and we hope they enjoyed their time in Hamilton. Lastly, I’d like to thank all the students who joined me on this trip. A lot of planning goes into organizing these trips, but they wouldn’t happen without you. Thank you for being excellent representatives of the Faculty of Information. Keep your eye out for information on the third and final day trip in February!

MMSt DAY TRIPPERS PART I: WATERLOO

WEEKEND EDITION

BY: GUEST MMSt BLOGGER KATHLEEN VAHEY

Hello everyone! My name is Kathleen and I am the Social Chair of the Museum Studies Student Association (MUSSA). My main goal is to help foster a sense of community in the Master of Museum Studies program and to facilitate events that allow MMSt’ers to hang out and do cool museum-related stuff. So naturally, this includes organizing trips for MMSt students to visit museums and cultural institutions around Ontario.

MMSt students Katlyn Wooder, Hannah Monkman, Kathleen Vahey, and Lucy Beale in the "Trailblazing: Women in Canada since 1867" exhibition. Photo courtesy of Serena Ypelaar.

The first of our three day-trips took place this past Friday, October 20th when we travelled via a traditional yellow school bus (throwback!) to the Waterloo Region Museum in Kitchener. While at the museum we learned about the advantages and disadvantages of working in a large regional museum system; visited two exhibitions; toured part of the outdoor heritage village; heard about the process and challenges developing a travelling exhibition; and finally, toured the onsite workshop, conservation lab, and collections vault. Over the course of the day, we talked with 10 staff members who hold distinct positions throughout the museum.

First-year MMSt students Lucy Beale, Dan Genis, Emily Williams, and Emma Franco-Toner inside the Trailblazing exhibition's colourful bus! Photo courtesy of Kathleen Vahey. 

All in all, it was a wonderful, jam-packed day. Take a look at some of the highlights written by student participants:

"Not being sure what to expect and being completely blown away by the quality of the exhibitions - especially the "Trailblazing - Women in Canada since 1867" gallery. Also, falling in love with the 'living history' period village!" - Michael Goodchild

Erica Chi tries out an interactive station in the "Trailblazing:
Women in Canada since 1867" exhibition. Photo courtesy of
Kathleen Vahey. 

"Really impressed to see the intricacies involved with putting together a huge exhibition like "Trailblazers" ... something you don't get to see while experiencing an exhibit." - Erica Chi

"Everyone at the museum was excited about and dedicated to the wonderful array of exhibits and historical sites that make up Waterloo Region Museum. Can't wait to return and spend more time in the historic village!" - Emma Franco-Toner

"The staff at the site were so helpful and interested in our experiences and thoughts. The mix of a small-museum mentality at a large and multi-purpose institution was amazing to know more about." - Lucy Beale

"My favourite part was getting to see a museum with such diverse resources and getting to experience how they all work cooperatively together. I'd love to spend more time in the village and see more of the non-traditional parts of the museum." - Hannah Barber

Kevin Thomas, Public Programs Specialist at Waterloo Region Museum, gives MMSt students a tour of Doon Heritage Village. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Vahey. 

"This trip covered so much more than I could have prepared for! The initial panel talk gave me perspective about the responsibility of staff in multiple departments, and in a range of institutions, big and small! It is rare to get the experience of a large, high-functioning museum while also learning about the opportunities and struggles in smaller heritage institutions." - Amy Intrator

Getting ready to do some blacksmithing with expert 
Robbie in the heritage village! Photo courtesy of Serena Ypelaar.

"Wonderful to finally see the museum, after living in Waterloo Region for many years! Hearing professional experience was a highlight - as was patting a sheep and a cow (when I wasn't supposed to!) - Andrew Falcao

"I was so thrilled to be allowed into collections even for a few moments. The tour of the village was especially interesting and engaging and I'd like to go back sometime when I'd have more time to wander, knowing what I do now about the behind-the-scenes aspects." - Emily Williams

"This trip was one of the most diverse day trips I have had the pleasure to attend. From panel talks to historic exhibits to beautiful architecture to live animals (that some people had to be told multiple times not to touch, but hey who doesn't want to touch sheep). It was worth the 401 traffic." - Katlyn Wooder

Waterloo Region Museum Manager/Curator Adèle Hempel speaking at a panel to our group of MMSt students. We also heard from panelists (from left): Wendy Connell, Sean Jasmins, Keri Solomon, Carolyn Blackstock, Michelle Bartlett-Rozad, James Jensen (not pictured), Stacy McLennan (not pictured). Photo courtesy of Kathleen Vahey.

After a long but thoroughly enjoyable day, I would like to extend my most sincere thank you to Adèle Hempel (Manager/Curator of Region of Waterloo Museums) who enthusiastically agreed to host MMSt students at Waterloo Region Museum and planned a fantastic itinerary for us, and to all the staff members who took time out of their busy day to speak with us about their work in museums. I would also like to thank Dean Wendy Duff and Prof. Cara Krmpotich who kindly approved the trip, and Prof. Costis Dallas who spent his day with us at the museum.

Finally, I'd like to thank all the students who joined me on this trip. You were respectful and engaged (yay for asking questions!) and overall amazing representatives of the Master of Museum Studies program and the University of Toronto. I'm certainly looking forward to our next day-trip to Hamilton on November 10th. Email me at kathleen.vahey@mail.utoronto.ca with any inquires or to register!