The following is being distributed at the request of The Rooms Corporation:

The Rooms Celebrates Five Years with Three Days of Fun-Filled Activities

Today The Rooms, Newfoundland and Labrador's largest public cultural space, celebrates its fifth anniversary, becoming an emblem of provincial passion and pride. Through the expertise of The Rooms Provincial Archives, Art Gallery and Museum divisions, The Rooms has become a compelling cultural institution admired and celebrated both inside and outside the province.

In just five years, The Rooms has surpassed expectations and become a major part of the province's cultural community. It has welcomed over 325,000 visitors, including thousands of school-children; displayed over 140 exhibitions from the province and around the world; and, has made major strides in educational outreach and family programming. The Rooms has also provided over 550 educational programs and over 600 public programs. The dynamic and versatile programs include daily school visits; youth group programs; an artist-in-residence program; weekly lecture and family programming series; as well as, travelling exhibitions and educational materials, ensuring that the province's archival, artistic and historical materials are accessible to all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"I congratulate all board members, staff and volunteers with The Rooms as they get set to celebrate and acknowledge their fifth anniversary," said the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "Home to our provincial archives, art gallery and museum, The Rooms has become our cultural showcase. As a government, we remain committed to the preservation and protection of Newfoundland and Labrador's cultural heritage and this wonderful facility provides visitors the ideal outlet to learn about our incredibly long and fascinating history. I encourage residents and visitors alike to join in the celebration and take in some of the exciting festivities and activities that have been planned."
The Rooms has celebrated a number of accomplishments over the past five years, including in 2006 when The Rooms partnered with Canadian Heritage and the Innu Nation to acquire an 18th century painted caribou-skin coat, of which there are approximately only 100 currently in existence. The arrangement to jointly acquire the coat built upon the already established partnership enjoyed by The Rooms and the Innu Nation and ensured this significant piece of history was retained and preserved for the people of the province for years to come.

In 2009, The Rooms was honoured to exhibit Afghanistan: A Glimpse of War, an exhibition consisting of compelling photos, video footage and first-hand accounts of Canada's participation in the war in Afghanistan — which travelled for the first time from the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. In telling both Canadian and Afghan stories, Afghanistan: A Glimpse of War emphasized the human experience of war while also bringing a nationally renowned and significant exhibition experience to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Although the year is only half way though, it has already been a banner year for The Rooms. From the Canadian premiere of the exhibition Edward Burtynsky: Oil to the launch of The Great War and The Royal Newfoundland Regiment website (designed specifically for Grade 8 students studying the province's history), The Rooms continually seeks new and innovative ways to engage the community in exhibitions, programs and educational outreach that speaks to the diversity of the province's culture and the best the world has to offer.

To top off an already enormously successful five years, earlier this year The Rooms received a $2.5 million corporate donation from Husky Energy which will allow The Rooms to develop The Husky Energy Galley, an exhibition on Newfoundland and Labrador's post 1800's history housed in the level four museum. This generous donation was followed by another major donation of $1 million from philanthropist Elinor Gill Ratcliffe, which will be used to build The Elinor Gill Ratcliffe Gallery above the Husky Energy Gallery on the fourth floor of The Rooms and will house the Social History of Newfoundland and Labrador Exhibition.

"We are very proud of the work we've been able to accomplish in the past five years," Dean Brinton added. "The Rooms" success is the province's success. We are here because people believe in what we do and what we have to offer. We are looking forward for the years to come to even more community partnerships, even more educational outreach and even greater success in our exhibitions and programs. Really, we're only getting started."

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Media contacts:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca

Deanne Fisher
Director of Marketing and Development
The Rooms
709-757-8070
deannefisher@therooms.ca

BACKGROUNDER
The Rooms Anniversary Celebrations
June 29 to July 1, 2010

Tuesday, June 29
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Free admission all day
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Family Fun, including fun with bubbles and kite making. Inside The Rooms, help decorate The Rooms big birthday card and enjoy cake and afternoon tea at 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, June 30
10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Free admission all day

Thursday, July 1
12:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. Sweep in Canada Day with free admission
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Canada Day Family Fun including fun with bubbles and kite making.