Innovative ROM Community Access Network provides over $1.3 million in free access to Museum
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty today announced the Royal Ontario Museum’s Community Access Network, or ROMCAN, an innovative new program providing free Museum tickets directly to communities and individuals who may not otherwise visit the Museum. In a media conference held at the Museum, Premier McGuinty introduced the Museum’s two new ROM CAN partners, United Way Toronto and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, as well as the program’s objectives and beneficiaries. The Premier also announced that as of April 22, 2008, all full-time students attending a post-secondary institution in Canada will receive free admission on Tuesdays. ROM CAN is valued at over $1.3 million per year.
“I want to thank the ROM for providing this opportunity for families to enjoy time together in this beautiful museum, and for providing an opportunity for young people especially to see, study and enjoy our shared history,” said Premier Dalton McGuinty.
At the news conference, Premier McGuinty was introduced by the Honourable Aileen Carroll, Ontario Minister of Culture and Minister Responsible for Seniors.
“The ROM strongly supports the principle of Museum access for everyone. This new program will introduce new Canadians to the Museum, as well as provide access to Ontario citizens who might be unable to afford tickets for themselves and their families. Through this initiative, we will more effectively reach our public service goals by partnering with the United Way and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship,” added William Thorsell, ROM Director and CEO. “As well, students should be great beneficiaries of museums and the ROM is pleased to offer post-secondary students free access on Tuesdays to explore and rediscover the Museum.”
The communities that will benefit from ROM CAN through United Way Toronto, include: at-risk-youth, seniors on fixed incomes, aboriginal people, abused women, and physically or mentally disabled people. Through the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, ROM CAN will reach out to new Canadians. The ROM CAN initiative replaces the 45-minute free time that was previously offered at the end of each day, as it did not effectively reach these diverse and underrepresented communities. Through this new program, the ROM’s partner agencies will distribute 1,200 tickets and passes per month directly to these individuals and groups.
United Way will distribute tickets through its network of health and social service agencies.
“Working in partnership with the ROM means we're able to help open the doors of one of our province's great cultural institutions to communities who might otherwise not have access," said United Way Toronto President Frances Lankin. "Giving more people the opportunity to share in the ROM learning experience helps broaden understanding of our unique multicultural heritage and brings us all a little closer together.”
Through this collaborative program, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship will distribute Museum family passes to new Canadians during citizenship ceremonies each month, as part of its new Cultural Access Pass Program.
The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, 26th Governor General of Canada and Co-Chair of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship stated, “The Cultural Access Pass will help our new citizens feel that they can get to know what is important to all Canadians - their history, their arts and culture, their evolution as a nation. Through this program, everyone can belong to what has made our country what it is today.”
In addition to tickets and passes distributed through these new partners, the ROM continues to offer free access to the Museum in a number of other ways:
• Museum admission is free to all visitors every Wednesday afternoon between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm. (The Museum’s Half Price Friday Nights, presented by Sun Life Financial, remains on Fridays from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm.)
• The Museum continues to welcome visitors through the Sun Life Financial Museum and Arts Pass program (MAP). Launched last year with Toronto’s Public Libraries, the ROM was one of the original partners. MAP provides free access to Toronto’s best arts and cultural treasures for free. With a valid adult Toronto Public Library card, participants can borrow a MAP for their family at 24 library branches. Quantities are limited and borrowing rules apply. For more information: www.tpl.toronto.on.ca
• The growing ROM School Visits Bursary Program is a corporately sponsored initiative that provided free Museum admission to over 8,000 Ontario students and teachers last year.
• The ROM also provides 600 tickets each year to other charitable organizations to support their own fundraising efforts.
ROM CAN’s New Partner Agencies
Established in 1956, United Way Toronto is a registered charity and community impact organization dedicated to improving lives and strengthening neighbourhoods across Toronto. United Way identifies needs and takes action to create a better, safer, stronger city through research, partnerships and support of a network of 200 health and social service agencies. For more information: www.uwgt.org
The Institute for Canadian Citizenship was established by Canada’s 26th Governor General, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, and John Ralston Saul, to foster greater understanding of the values associated with Canadian citizenship. The Institute works to encourage a more involved citizenry, particularly among new Canadians, and operates through grassroots programs, enhanced citizenship ceremonies, national non-partisan forums and other activities which are accessible and meaningful to the public.For more information: www.icc-icc.ca