ROM Partners with TCDSB to bring Museum experience to over 12,000 students
Students apply African Canadian Heritage Month curriculum to experiential opportunity at the ROM
(Toronto, Ontario – January 31, 2013) – At an event held today to kick-off Black History Month programming at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), elementary and secondary students from the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) performed celebratory cultural dance and music included in the Board’s African Canadian Heritage Month school curriculum.
The event celebrated a new community access partnership between the ROM and the TCDSB, a Partners in Learning/ROM Community Access Network (ROMCAN) initiative.To enable access to the Museum during February’s Black History Month educational programming, a total of 12,500 tickets to the ROM will be distributed through the TCDSB, as well as another 4,000 community access passes through the Museum’s existing ROMCAN program. Additionally, there is the exciting aspect of assigning ROM resource staff as mentors to schools.
This program reflects the ROM’s new strategic plan which places high priority on promoting community engagement, universal access, and life-long learning. The TCDSB’s Partnership Development Department collaborated on this agreement with the ROM as part of its mandate to provide equal access to learning opportunities for all of its students. This is the first of multiple, ongoing partnerships that the ROM has planned with TCDSB, community organizations, and various school boards.
“This partnership speaks to the ROM's commitment to strengthen our public access,” said Janet Carding, ROM Director and CEO. “It’s about building community - a tangible example of our emphasis on audience-driven experiences that bring public-sector organizations and the philanthropic community together to advance accessible, enjoyable learning opportunities that celebrate culture and enhance the quality of life for a broad range of visitors.”
“The TCDSB is grateful to the ROM and its donors for their generosity in providing learning opportunities that support student achievement and well-being,” says TCDSB Director of Education, Bruce Rodrigues. “This partnership is a demonstration of our shared responsibility for creating educational experiences that reflect the diversity of our community and support our curriculum.”
One of Canada's largest curricular educators, the ROM offers a diverse School Visits Program aimed at enhancing the understanding and appreciation of natural history and world cultures through creative and interactive activities. The ROM welcomes more than 150,000 students each year from more than 3,000 schools locally, nationally and internationally. During weekdays, up to 2,000 students from elementary schools, high schools and post-secondary institutions visit the Museum.
Large scale student and family participation is made possible thanks to several generous donations made by anonymous private citizens and corporate sponsors. For a list of corporate donors, visit: https://www.rom.on.ca/en/education/school-visits/education-partners
About Partners in Learning
The Partners in Learning program brings the ROM and participating Ontario District School Boards together to integrate strategic goals, feature the Museum’s collections, and benefit from shared staff expertise to build customized, learning experiences that enhance student success and engage communities in sustainable life long learning opportunities.
About ROMCAN
Since 2008, the Royal Ontario Museum's Community Access Network (ROMCAN) has strived to make the Museum accessible to everyone by providing free Museum tickets or direct access to communities and individuals who may not otherwise visit the Museum.
ROMCAN helps to eliminate financial, social and cultural barriers that might otherwise stand between the community and the Museum. Thousands of general admission tickets to the ROM are distributed through over 50 participating community and charitable organizations to communities in need. For more information about ROMCAN, or to learn more about these participating organizations read our Community Partner Profiles, visit: https://www.rom.on.ca/en/visit-us/accessibility/community-access-network
For more information about Black History Month Programming at the ROM, visit: