NLIS 2
March 4, 2002
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)
Panel of experts meet with
museum staff on exhibit concept for The Rooms
The External Advisory Committee and
Curatorial Team for the Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador at The
Rooms met again this weekend, March 1-3, to continue a series of
meetings for the development of a permanent exhibit concept for The Rooms.
The eight member curatorial team is proposing
an innovative exhibit concept that places the diverse cultures of our
province in the context of our natural environment, and in relation to the
international significance of this place and our history. The External
Advisory Committee provided expert advice to ensure the accuracy,
authenticity and balance of this approach. This feedback took place at a
critical junction in the exhibit planning process as the team�s
suggestions and advice will be incorporated into the input provided to the
exhibit design team. This marks a great leap forward as the exhibit concept
moves from the written word to a 3-D presentation, based on the specimens
and artifacts that represent the amazing, diverse human and natural history
of Newfoundland and Labrador. This meeting also marked increased
representation of the province�s cultural diversity with Maura Hanrahan
attending for the first time as a representative of Labrador Metis history
and culture.
"The External Advisory Committee has
provided invaluable advice as we prepare to move the Provincial Museum as
well as the Provincial Archives and the Art Gallery into The Rooms,"
said Kevin Aylward, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "This
advisory committee chaired by Dr. Gordon Handcock, an honourary research
professor in the Geography Department of Memorial University, offers a wide
range of expertise, experience and dedication to this province�s history
that is an important part in capturing our history and culture. I look
forward to our continued partnership with the advisory committee as the
permanent exhibits for the Provincial Museum start to take shape."
Construction of The Rooms is
proceeding on time and planning of the exhibits is progressing rapidly.
Representatives from the exhibit design team of Lord Cultural Resources and
Dunbar Studios, who were awarded the contract for the exhibit design work
for the permanent exhibits at The Rooms, attended the meeting.
Lord Cultural Resources has significant
national and international experience in the development of exhibit projects
of an equivalent scale, budget and complexity. They have worked on the Hong
Kong Heritage Centre, Museum of the Filipino People, Peter Rabbits' Garden
Traveling Exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of
Saudi Arabia, Lowry Centre at Falford, England and Expo 2000 in Hanover,
Germany. Through Dunbar Studios the project team has significant experience
in Newfoundland and Labrador as Dunbar Studios has been responsible for
design and project management with the Grenfell Interpretation Centre,
Hearts Content Cable Station Provincial Historic Site, Smallwood
Interpretation Centre, Argentia Military Base and Atlantic Charter
Exhibition with the Museum of the Atlantic Allies, and various projects with
the Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador, including the Mary March
Regional Museum, "Atlantic Wings", "Elitaquatiek", and
"Routes". Through these projects Dunbar Studios has developed a
sensitivity to the cultural experience of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Media contact: Catherina Kennedy,
Communications, (709) 729-0928.
___________________________
BACKGROUND
All phases of exhibit development will be
guided by a number of principles developed by the Exhibit Planning Team in
consultation with the External Advisory Committee. They include:
- Chronicling the Full Story of Newfoundland
:
The exhibit will support the Provincial Museum�s mandate to record and
celebrate the diversity of cultures and natural ecosystems of this place
by presenting the breadth of these stories in a balanced and inclusive
manner.
Capturing the Essence of Newfoundland and
Labrador: The permanent exhibits at
The Rooms will tell the defining stories of Newfoundland and Labrador
focussing on both its distinguishing and characteristic qualities and
highlighting stories of national and international significance.
Working in Partnership with the Aboriginal
Communities: The exhibits
presenting the history and culture of the Inuit, Innu, and Mi�kmaq will be
developed in full partnership with the respective Aboriginal communities so
that the stories told through each of these exhibits will be presented from
the point of view of the respective communities and introduced as such.
Celebrating the Lives of the Beothuk:
The exhibit will present the story of the Beothuk in a balanced way that
represents their lives as well as commemorating the tragic loss of these
people and their culture.
Telling the Stories Through Many Voices:
To ensure that the presentation of these stories is balanced and inclusive
they will be told from many different perspectives and in a variety of
voices, especially where dissenting opinions occur.
Presenting the North West Atlantic
Environment as the Defining Setting for Our Stories:
The exhibit will use an interpretive approach that will illustrate the
strong connection between this place and its people.
Recognizing the Role of Cultural Traditions
and of Individual Creativity in Shaping Our Experience of the North West
Atlantic Environment: The exhibit
will recognize that the cultural repertoires, strategies and knowledge that
were brought by various cultures to this place had a very marked effect on
how those peoples interacted with, lived in, shaped and changed this
environment.
Presenting the Province�s History to the
Present Day: The exhibit will bring
the stories of this place and its people through to the present day in order
to serve as a platform for an understanding of our contemporary experience
and of current issues and challenges.
Acting as a Gateway to Other Sites:
The exhibit will present an overview of the story of Newfoundland and
Labrador and, wherever appropriate, will use specific sites and locations
from all over our province to illustrate aspects of our natural and human
history.
Speaking our Languages:
In designing this exhibit, the Provincial Museum will explore media options
and opportunities to present information in a variety of languages including
English, French, Innu-amin, Inuktitut and Mi�kmawi�simk.
External Advisory Committee Members
Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador
Permanent Exhibits at The Rooms
Position |
Mailing Address |
Chairperson:
Dr. Gordon Handcock
|
Geography Department
Memorial University of Newfoundland
|
Natural History
Dr. Grant Gardner
|
Associate Dean of Science
Memorial University of Newfoundland
|
Archaeology
Bill Gilbert
|
Baccalieu Trail Heritage Region
|
History
Dr. Shannon Ryan
|
History Department
Memorial University of Newfoundland
|
Military History
Dr. David Facey-Crowther
|
History Department
Memorial University of Newfoundland
|
Folklore/Culture
Anita Best
|
Folklorist/Performer
|
RNC
Deputy Chief Gary Browne
|
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
|
West Coast
Steven Knudsen
|
Grenfell Historical Society
|
Labrador
Joe Goudie
|
|
Innu History and Culture
Alexander Andrew
|
Innu Nation
|
Inuit History and Culture
Gary Baikie
|
Torngasok Cultural Centre
Labrador Inuit Association
|
Mi�kmaq History and Culture
Saqamaw Misel Joe
|
Miawpukek First Nation
|
Labrador M�tis
History and Culture
Maura Hanrahan
|
Labrador Metis Nation
|
French History and Culture
Suzelle Lavall�e
|
Department of Education
|
Cultural Tourism
Gordon Slade
|
|
Eco-tourism
Dave Snow
|
Wildland Tours
|
Education
Tim Borlase
|
Labrador Institute
|
Community Museums/
MANL Representative
Kathy Elliott
|
Corner Brook Museum and Archives
|
Parks Canada
Mike Burzynski
|
Gros Morne National Park
|
THE ROOMS EXHIBIT TEAM: |
Curatorial Team: |
Penny Houlden
Chief Curator
|
Dr. Bernard Ransom
Curator of Military History
|
Colleen Shea
Interpretive Planner
|
Carol Brice-Bennett
Curator - Inuit Exhibit
|
Ralph Jarvis
Curator of Natural History -
Exhibits
|
Peter Armitage
Curator - Innu Exhibit
|
Mark Ferguson
Curator of History - Exhibits
|
Philip Jeddore
Curator - Mi�kmaq Exhibit
|
Kevin McAleese
Curator of Archaeology/Ethnology - Exhibits
|
|
Marilyn Dawe
Advisor - Interpretive Planning
Parks Canada
|
Dr. James Hiller
Subject Area Advisor - History
Department of History
Memorial University
|
Exhibit Design Team: |
John Nicks: Principal in Charge
Lord Cultural Resources
|
Maria Piacente - Project Manager &
Interpretive Planner
Lord Cultural Resources
|
Matthew Dawson: Designer
Lord Cultural Resources
|
Dougal Dunbar: Designer
Dunbar Studios
|
2002 03
04
4:15 p.m.
|