Community Memories Program – About Exhibits

The Community Memories Program helps CHIN members to develop online exhibits about local history. This page provides an overview of what is involved in creating a Community Memories Exhibit.

These productions allow communities to rediscover the people and events that shaped their past and present, bringing otherwise dispersed records into a coherent, engaging narrative.

Subject

The range of possible subjects for a Community Memories exhibit is endless. Examples include the main industry of a particular community, a significant historical event, traditional crafts or ways of life, early settlers, the impact of major world events or the experiences of immigrants.

Community Involvement

Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate the strongest community partnerships and intergenerational participation. Museums work with community members to create Community Memories exhibits. For this program, CHIN defines a community as a group sharing a common history or interest and that may be situated in a specific location in Canada.

Criteria for Investment

CHIN will evaluate proposals based on the criteria described in the Program Guidelines.

Software

Institutions whose proposals are accepted receive, free of charge, the new, user-friendly software that requires no previous experience.

The software can produce additional exhibits, and allows you to use photographs, text, video and audio clips to bring your community’s history to life.

Hardware and Recommended Accessories

Approved institutions also receive a $5,000 investment towards production costs for a first exhibit and $2,500 for subsequent ones.

There are certain hardware requirements and recommended accessories for participants in the Program.

Technical Support

Should questions emerge during the development of the exhibit, technical support is available at service@chin.gc.ca or is a phone call away (1-800-820-2446).

Images

Community Memories exhibits must contain a minimum of 100 images and descriptive text, as well as any associated oral and video content.

Storylines

The exhibit must include at least one storyline. A storyline is a narrative presenting the local history through the use of specific images, sounds and information. The museum tells the community’s story through storylines, which lead viewers along a specific path. Like chapters in a book, each storyline is a smaller story of interest within the exhibit.

Audio

Transcriptions or summaries of oral reminiscences and other audio material must be included to ensure accessibility for those with hearing disabilities.

Rights

Rights to include material in exhibits must be obtained. CHIN will supply sample rights clearance forms as a guide for community content providers (individuals and/or organizations). Museums requiring additional legal advice should consult their institution’s legal counsellor.

Summary

A summary of the exhibit (between 250 and 400 words) must be provided on the exhibit CD once the exhibit has been completed for inclusion in the Virtual Museum of Canada (VMC). CHIN reserves the right to modify the summary and the description prior to its posting on the VMC site.

Host

Community Memories exhibits must be hosted on CHIN’s server. Museums may obtain the complete URL to create a link from their website to their Community Memories exhibit.

Feedback

Museums are responsible for responding to public feedback concerning their exhibits. The feedback component of the Community Memories exhibits allows participating museums to enter into dialogue with VMC audiences. An e-mail address must be supplied to CHIN for feedback messages when exhibits are completed.

Visibility

Once completed, CHIN will add the finished product to the Virtual Museum of Canada (VMC) at virtualmuseum.ca. The exhibits provide visitors from around the world with unique insights into the values and experiences that have shaped the community’s history. In addition to being featured online, the exhibit can be packaged in CD-ROM format or displayed as a slide show.

Translation

Once an exhibit is launched, participants may apply for up to $2,500 to fund translation of the final product into the other official language. Contact the Community Memories Program for more information.