Partnerships

Close-up of the side of a rabbit skull.

Rabbit Skull, 3-D model from the virtual exhibit Ukaliq the Arctic Hare, created by the Canadian Museum of Nature.

More and more effective technological tools are needed to create digital content. When looking for partners who can provide specific tools, member institutions can rely on CHIN to suggest solutions and initiate discussions with experts in the field. These partnerships lead to the production of high quality achievements such as the Virtual Exhibit Ukaliq, the Arctic Hare, produced by the Canadian Museum of Nature.

"Thanks to our participation in the VMC's Investment Programs, [...] we have built exciting partnerships which would otherwise never have been developed [...] Thus we were able to create an appealing and innovative online product, which we would never have managed to create on our own". Christina Tessier, Bytown Museum Director referring to The Commissariat 3D Reconstruction Project

Challenges Faced by Members

Virtual Exhibit: Ukaliq, the Arctic Hare

Because of their technological aspects, some rather ambitious museum projects sometimes require the skills of external contributors. This is where there is a need for the museum community to access a national centre of excellence to create ties with partners.

Renewed Solutions

Reference Tool: Artefacts Canada

In order to effectively respond to questions and needs of its members, CHIN encourages the sharing of knowledge. In addition to the Professional Exchange site, events such as the digital Cultural Content Forum (DCCF) and the Symposiums on digital heritage (Beijing 2008, Fiamp 2008, and Vancouver 2010) provide an opportunity to share best practices and search for solutions.

More than just a dynamic network of professionals and experts, CHIN is a centre of excellence that continuously keeps abreast of the latest technological developments, and which is actively connected to the museum community in Canada and abroad. Thus, it is able to provide the necessary support for the creation of effective partnerships for the successful implementation of its members' projects.

Meaningful Results

VMC Teachers' Centre

Thanks to Artefacts Canada, heritage professionals are able to easily share and access data that are essential to their work. The investment programs have brought over 500 virtual exhibits to life, including the Ukaliq the Arctic Hare exhibit produced with the 3D Imaging Centre of the Canadian Museum of Nature. The VMC Lab provides the opportunity to bring together many professionals, such as the Canadian Space Agency, the National Research Council Canada, specialist organizations and artists, to collaborate on pioneering projects. Moreover, several cooperation projects are the direct result of these partnerships, including the Joe Fafard 3D Panoramic Visit, produced with the MacKenzie Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Canada, the Interactive Terminal of the McCord Museum, and the 3D reconstruction of a Thule Whalebone House at the Glenbow Museum.

Professionals who wish to learn how to use these technologies will find answers and partners on the Professional Exchange site, which also offers training, interviews with experts and the opportunity to interact with peers. Also, the CHIN Business Development team continues to encourage the building of partnerships and the dissemination, on a broader scale, of information on member initiatives and achievements. Partnerships with GRICS, Learning Ontario, the Canadian Museums Association, the National Capital Commission and the Board of Montreal Museum Directors have especially had positive spin-offs, including the creation of the new online boutique of virtualmuseum.ca, the national promotion of Canadian museum information, and greater visibility during museum open houses. These initiatives have shown how it is beneficial to collaborate in the distribution and revitalization of content for museums and partners alike.

Tools and Resources

Professional Exchange Virtual Museum of Canada

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