Canadian Museum of History, Confederation Centre of the Arts sign partnership agreement

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Gatineau, Quebec, June 25, 2014 — The Canadian Museum of History and Confederation Centre of the Arts have signed an agreement that paves the way for future collaboration between the two institutions. They will work together through the History Museums Network, a national network that promotes greater understanding of Canadian identity, history, arts and culture across Canada and internationally.

The Canadian Museum of History is leading the Network’s development. Under the agreement signed in Charlottetown, Confederation Centre of the Arts becomes an affiliate member. The Centre was founded in 1964 as Canada’s National Memorial to the Fathers of Confederation, who first met in Charlottetown in 1864. The Centre celebrates the origins and evolution of our country through heritage programming and the visual and performing arts.

“For the past 50 years, Confederation Centre of the Arts has made an invaluable contribution to our understanding of Canada and its history,” said Mark O’Neill, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of History. “We look forward to working in partnership with the Centre to build on that legacy of success, especially at this critical time, when the Canadian Museum of History is developing the largest, most comprehensive and most inclusive exhibition about Canadian history ever created.”

“We are delighted to sign this MOU with the Canadian Museum of History to work on projects for Confederation Centre of the Arts that express the heritage and evolution of our great nation,” says Jessie Inman, CEO of Confederation Centre. “I am certain we will share many exchanges of mutual benefit to both organizations.”

The Memorandum of Understanding between the Museum and the Centre will facilitate future collaboration, including the sharing of knowledge, best practices, resources and artifacts. The document was signed in conjunction with the Annual Public Meeting of the Museum’s Board of Trustees, held this year in Prince Edward Island’s capital.

The Canadian History Hall will open on July 1, 2017, when Canadians mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation. The Canadian History Hall will be the largest, most comprehensive permanent exhibition on Canadian history ever developed. It will present the events, experiences, people and artifacts that reflect and have shaped, and continue to shape, our country. The exhibition will be authentic and artifact-rich, will be based on the latest research and will explore Canadian history through the experiences and perspectives of those who lived it. As it develops the exhibition’s content, the Museum is seeking input from a wide range of groups and individuals with specialized knowledge and historical materials, such as the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

Located on the shores of the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec, the Canadian Museum of History is Canada’s largest and most popular cultural institution, attracting over 1.2 million visitors each year. The Museum’s principal role is to enhance Canadians’ knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the events, experiences, people and objects that have shaped Canada’s history and identity, as well as to enhance Canadians’ awareness of world history and culture.

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