Conference Program
The annual Heritage Exchange conference brings many heritage partners together to learn and share ideas. This year, Heritage Services has partnered with HME to develop the program and spread the word. While COVID-19 restrictions mean we cannot gather in person, this year's conference has been redesigned to a FREE online event.
All conference sessions and workshops are free to attend, but pre-registration is required. If you have any questions about registration or need assistance, please email meredith.leonard@halton.ca
October 20, 10AM - Halton Heritage Network Re-connect
Members of the Network are invited to join Claire and Meredith for a virtual coffee break to kick off our 2020 Heritage Exchange! Hear what is next for Heritage Services and share stories about your experience with COVID-19. All participants are invited to contribute and update the rest of the Network about any new initiatives and programs in an informal discussion.
To register for this session, follow this link: https://halton.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcqcemrpj4oH9UisEBjlwUbfH2Hl5qarfS7
October 20, 2PM - Contemporary Collecting: Risk vs. Reward
Join Chris Selman, Curator at Museums of Burlington, to discuss contemporary collecting and how historical institutions can implement it in order to supplement and fill gaps within their permanent collections. Using real-world examples, this presentation will aim to answer this question while also discussing the risks and rewards of collecting objects and stories related to contemporary historical events, such as COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter Movement. To register for this session, follow this link: https://halton.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6XbjQ9dYRwqmQ3Mc6Gs5Hw
Chris Selman is an experienced heritage professional who works to balance the preservation of heritage collections with their public display and interpretation. He works as Curator at the Museums of Burlington where he is responsible for all aspects of collection management and exhibition development. Prior to working with the Museums of Burlington, he held positions with the City of Toronto, the Association of Nova Scotia Museums, and the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.
October 21, 2PM - The Impact of COVID-19: Re-evaluating Our Museums During a Pandemic
Join Kimberly Watson, Director and Valerie Garrett, Acting Supervisor of Public Programs for the Museums of Burlington for a discussion of the ups and downs of re-opening the Joseph Brant Museum after an expansion project, then closing due to the pandemic, then reopening again. Kimberly and Valerie will discuss how the organization re-evaluated their current offerings and the work they did during the closure to maintain the organization’s relevance to the community, as well as their virtual programming - what it looks like now and how it will impact their offerings in the future. Kimberly will provide insight into the development and implementation of a COVID-19 health and safety protocol and share the Museums of Burlington's experience of reopening under current government restrictions.To register for this session, follow this link: https://halton.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Dz4JmuSOSt-t_TkoH4k2eg
In 2015 Kimberly Watson joined the Museums of Burlington as Curator and was named Director in 2019. She has over 20 years’ experience in the culture heritage field ranging from National institutions such as the National Museum of Science and Technology and The Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum in Ottawa to smaller community and independent museums like the Atikokan Centennial Museum and the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough. Kimberly has been heavily involved with the exciting transformation of the Joseph Brant Museum that reopened to the public in 2019, from the first concrete pour, to the development of the permanent exhibitions to the creation of the hands-on children’s discovery gallery. Throughout her career Kimberly has brought her passion, creativity and love of history to each museum she has worked.
Valerie Garrett is currently the Acting Supervisor of Public Programs for the Museums of Burlington. She studied at Brock University, earning a degree in History with Honours, and a minor in Classics. She also completed the Culture and Heritage Site Management program at Centennial College. She started her career in the museum sector as an Education Assistant at the Myrtleville House Museum, focusing mainly on children’s programming. After volunteering with the Museums of Burlington and the Niagara Falls Museums for two years, she joined the Museums of Burlington as a Historical Interpreter in 2015. As of January 2020, Valerie has been the Acting Supervisor of Public Programs which has allowed her to take a more leadership role in the planning of the Museums' special events, as well as virtual programming initiatives.
October 22, 10AM - Building Your Digital Strategy: how to be top of mind during and after a digital shift
Join Enable Education Founders Amy Leask and Ben Zimmer for a behind-the-scenes look at the collaborative virtual learning experience Enable created for Country Heritage Park (CHP) at the beginning of the COVID-19 shut down. When CHP had to close their physical doors to teachers and students in March 2020, the team at Enable worked with staff to transform their in-person school programming into a dynamic, online learning experience, accessible to parents, teachers and students anywhere in the world. Ben and Amy will provide insights into crafting a long-term digital strategy for culture and heritage organizations that is applicable to both in-person and online experiences. To register for this session, follow this link:https://halton.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TKQDxdGnSDuiNKeEogs1vw
BEN ZIMMER & AMY LEASK, Founders of Enable Education
Ben and Amy are passionate about learning. Both grew up in teaching families, and spent a number of years at the front of a classroom before founding Enable Education in 2006. For almost 15 years, Ben, Amy, and their team have been committed to making learning experiences that are immersive, inclusive, relevant, and engaging. Their work has won numerous awards, and spans everything from K-12 STEM materials and interactive children’s media for critical thinking, to learning management platforms and corporate/industrial training. Enable Education works with chief executives and HR managers to elevate and implement effective workplace learning experiences. The Enable team designs tools and content that bridge the gap between learning and application, to keep employees engaged and productive.
Part of Enable’s mandate is to support learning initiatives that have positive, lasting impact for their community. They have collaborated with various community leaders to enhance educational opportunities for learners of all ages, throughout Halton Region and the GTA.
October 22, 2PM - ArtSparks Community at FirstOntario Arts Centre Milton
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic many arts, culture and heritage organizations have been required to explore different programming opportunities, while determining how best to stay connected to the community and keep users engaged. Christina Romaz, Programming and Outreach Coordinator for the FirstOntario Arts Centre in Milton will discuss the Centre's ArtSparks Community, an online program developed in partnership with Arts Milton, designed to strengthen social relationships in this time of uncertainty, share and support artistic practices in the community and continue the delivery of enriching and accessible programs. Initial program planning insights, successes, challenges and key findings will be shared to help you navigate your own online programming options. To register for this session, follow this link: https://halton.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SreRZx3dQNKbLHDDlXVOHg
Christina Romasz has worked in municipal government for over ten years with a focus on arts education, community engagement, cultural planning, and championing the arts. She is currently the Programming and Outreach Coordinator at the FirstOntario Arts Centre Milton.
October 27, 10AM - Myseum of Toronto: The Success of Partnerships
Jeremy Diamond, Executive Director of Myseum will discuss the organization’s Wigwam Chi-Chemung initiative, including 2019’s Canada Day: an indigenous perspective and the move to online programming in 2020 with the “Ask an Elder” series of conversations with Elder Duke Redbird. To register for this session, follow this link: https://halton.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_c8daB7QBSGi2WCht-Z3X1w
A public historian for more than 20 years, Jeremy has held senior leadership roles at various Canadian history organizations, most recently as Executive Director at the Vimy Foundation since 2014, where he led multi-million-dollar initiatives including the building of the Vimy Visitor Education Centre and Vimy Foundation Centennial Park in support of the Battle of Vimy Ridge Centennial Commemorations across Canada and France. Diamond has also acted as Managing Director of Historica Canada and held roles at the Hudson’s Bay Company and various museums, historic sites and archives.
October 27, 2PM - User Experience Design for Cultural Heritage Institutions
Emerging Museum Professionals and User Experience Designers Georgia Grieve and Erin Canning will introduce principles of user experience design (UX) in application for the heritage industry. Participants will leave the session with an understanding of how UX methods can be used to better engage with visitors online and in-person, thus working to achieve visitor-centered missions and goals. This presentation will combine the theoretical and the practical, including descriptions, examples, and resources regarding UX methods that participants can use in their institutions.
To register for this session, follow this link: https://halton.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_o0X33MgGRD-FpfJ3u14LIQ
Erin Canning is the Ontology Systems Analyst for LINCS, a 3-year project funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation that seeks to convert large humanities datasets into an interconnected set of resources for Canadian cultural research. Prior to joining LINCS, they held the position of Digital Platform Analyst at the Aga Khan Museum (2018-2020). Erin is interested in how to make access to information and content easier for all users, staff and visitors alike. Erin holds Masters degrees in Information (MI) and Museum Studies (MMst) from the University of Toronto (2018).
Georgia Grieve is an emerging museums professional and user experience designer. Her interests are in exploring the intersections of technology, arts and culture. Georgia recently completed Masters in Museum Studies (MMSt) and Information (MI), specializing in User Experience Design, at the University of Toronto (2020). Georgia has worked on projects at the Markham Museum, University of Toronto’s OISE Library, the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Humber College, and the Orillia Museum of Art & History.
October 28, 10AM - Next Steps with Heritage Services Staff
Throughout the conference program, participants will have heard inspirational stories and gathered new ideas - but where do we go next? How can we turn these ideas into something concrete? Claire and Meredith will discuss opportunities to use this learning to create visitor experiences at your own site as well as the ways in which Heritage Services can support Network members with future projects. We’ll highlight our new project proposal process, along with resources available to our network partners and a preview of what’s next for Heritage Services in 2021.
To register for this session, follow this link:https://halton.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwtfuyqrDkvHNKDXSBHDTpATg4TtJTq-SvK
November 9 - 13 - Learning Experience Design for Museums Workshop
Drive in...symphony? Socially distant...salsa classes? Virtual...summer camp? COVID-19 has certainly made us examine how we think of, well...everything. So, where does that leave galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAMs)? How do we respond in these unusual times? What can our organizations be? What do our communities need from us?
Heritage Services is excited to partner with Josh Cardoz, of BTS and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education to present this fun, fast-paced, high-impact week - a combination of live virtual experiences and self-paced activities. By the end of this workshop, you'll better understand the world of your users and have new ideas about how to bring local history into their lives, regardless of space. From user-driven design to gamification mechanics, to storytelling in the digital age, you'll leave with a new appreciation for the "design of things" and be ready to reimagine your own spaces for your audiences.
To register for the Learning Experience Design for Museums Workshop, please email meredith.leonard@halton.ca Registration is free, but space is limited!
Part of BTS - a professional services firm - Josh leads the solutions team at self-led digital experiences. His role is to craft creative solutions that are engaging as they are effective within the digital realm. This includes determining the most appropriate design approach, structure, media and delivery format for a solution based on learning goals and desired outcomes. He also is a subject matter expert for the organization on digital learning .
Josh’s experience in the learning and development field is diverse and wide-reaching. His global portfolio includes Fortune 500 companies in the automotive, banking, elevator, insurance, food & beverage, publishing and pharmaceutical industries – ranging on topics from product training to soft-skills (leadership, coaching) to onboarding to even tire physics.
Josh’s passions lie at the intersection of learning, technology and design. He earned his Master of Teaching at the University of Toronto with a thesis focus on digital learning. Prior to his graduate studies, Josh completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts (History) at the University of Toronto. Josh also graduated from the University of London with an LLB degree, with specific academic focus in Intellectual Property Law. He currently also teaches at the University of Toronto on “Online Learning Environments” and “Learning Experience Design.”
