November 13, 2020 – Saint John, N.B.

MP Wayne Long begins his holiday shopping at the NBM Boutique at Market Square in Saint John with Bill Hicks, NBM CEO

The federal government has taken significant action to help the New Brunswick Museum (NBM) through this difficult time.  Support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) will enable the NBM to develop a strategic plan and expand its digital offerings and activities to create new opportunities for growth.

Today, during a visit to the New Brunswick Museum, Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John – Rothesay, announced a non-repayable contribution of $92,250 through ACOA’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program, to help the NBM adapt and pivot to respond to the challenges brought on by COVID-19.

As the provincial museum, the NBM collects, preserves, researches and interprets material to foster greater knowledge and appreciation of New Brunswick provincially and globally.

“This project will advance the understanding of New Brunswick’s cultures and natural environment,” said Bill Hicks, CEO, NBM.  “The funding drastically increases our ability to put a solid new strategic plan in place and allows us to further grow robust digital systems and our virtual presence, allowing for greater remote engagement.”

“The Government of Canada is helping organizations strengthen their infrastructure so they can continue to thrive long after the COVID-19 pandemic is over,” said MP Long.  “I am pleased this ACOA investment will allow the New Brunswick Museum to continue to develop new experiences for visitors both near and far, creating sustainable economic growth for one of the province’s leading cultural and tourism institutions.”

The NBM website will become a platform for everyone to access new, free museum-based learning materials:

• Students – to encourage them to get outside in their own environment with new learning materials about the trees, lichens and plants in the Acadian Forest;
• Seniors – to explore art and music to revive memories, to show how heritage and culture is an important aspect of our wellness;
• Adults – a video series featuring trends in museology over the Museum’s 178 years, highlighting the collections that make NBM a gem not only for New Brunswick, but also for Canada.

NBM interpreters will stream programs live with classes starting this month. Public offerings will go online in 2021.

Also, the NBM Boutique is working to have an online presence and expand its reach to a much wider audience. The NBM Boutique not only supports local artisans, but proceeds from Boutique sales help support programs and research at the Museum. The new online NBM Boutique will be supported by the social media engagement that has already begun through the recent launch of the NBM Boutique on Facebook and Instagram. The physical location of the NBM Boutique at Market Square remains open.

The NBM is excited to receive federal support to help them further engage with new and existing audiences across the province, Canada and globally with virtual initiatives that will play an integral part of continuing to bring audiences together to learn, share and know more about our rich natural and cultural heritage.

Contacts

New Brunswick Museum
Caitlin Griffiths or Aristi Dsilva, Communications and Marketing,
506-654-7059 or 506-643-2358
info@nbm-mnb.ca

Ann Kenney
Senior Communications Officer
ACOA NB
506-260-2193
Ann.kenney@canada.ca