Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Museums: History Alive!
Award Description
The Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Museums: History Alive! is a partnership between the Canadian Museums Association (CMA) and Canada’s History Society (CHS). This award has been presented for the first time in December 2011 by the Governor General of Canada, at Rideau Hall.
Canadian history is comprised of many histories. It is kept vibrant and meaningful by the roles and activities of smaller community-based initiatives, led largely by Canada’s museums, archives, and local heritage institutions. Their efforts ensure there is an enduring repository of valuable research information for future generations, as well as provide important interpretive programs that give greater personal relevance and connection for Canadians to the later national story.
The goal of the History Alive! award is to honour significant achievement in the historical field and encourage standards of excellence specifically in the presentation, preservation and interpretation of national, regional or local history.
The award recognizes individuals or institutions that have made remarkable contributions to a better knowledge of Canadian history.
Eligibility
- Eligible nominees are individuals or organizations in museums, art galleries and related heritage institutions that have made remarkable contributions to a better knowledge of the Canadian local, regional or national history.
- The award selection would be drawn from nominations put forward by individuals or institutions involved in Canadian museums, art galleries and related heritage institutions.
- The award is conferred on accomplishments occurring within the year preceding the nomination deadline.
- Individuals or organizations may not receive an award more than once in three years.
- Works accepted for nomination may include innovative exhibitions, interpretation, programs and presentations on local, regional or national history subjects, in English or in French.
- The works must be about actual people and events in Canada history, or composites of events known to have happened.
- Nominees are considered on the basis of the quality of their research, presentation, preservation and interpretation of national, regional or local history, as well as the overall contribution and impact of their work to fostering a better understanding of our past.
- Posthumous nominations will not be considered.
- Individual nominations will not be considered more than 3 times.
- Members of the jury or their affiliated institutions are not eligible.
Nominator
The nominator must be an individual or an organization involved in museums, art galleries and related heritage institutions and who is a CMA or Canada’s History Society member.
Selection Criteria
Nominations will be assessed against the following:
- Innovation: Nominee initiated and used new ideas, concepts, approaches, activities and programs in communicating local, regional or national history;
- Integrity: the project is an accurate portrayal of an aspect of Canadian heritage/history;
- Impact: the project results in positive outcomes in Canadian communities, enhances historical and heritage understanding, and has a significant record of audience outreach;
- Inclusion: the project/activity supports, promotes, and reflects accessibility and diversity;
- Inspirational: the project is of significance to other museums in the presentation of Canada’s history.
Selection Process
An independent jury will review the nominations and choose the award recipient.
Award Presentation
The award will be presented in November of each year by the Governor General during the Award Ceremony at Rideau Hall.
Nominations Deadline: August 16, 2013
Submissions Guidelines
Nominations must include the following documentation:
- Completed Nomination Form signed by the Nominator;
- Nomination statement (from the nominator) (max. 3 pages) that describes the nominee’s achievement;
- An explanation that details what makes the nominee’s accomplishment an outstanding achievement and how it meets the selection criteria (max. 2 pages);
- Biography or curriculum vitae of individual nominee;
- Two letters of support from two other Canadian museum professionals sponsoring the applications;
- Relevant material such as CD, DVD, slides, websites, audio, podcasts, photographs, publications, local news coverage, press releases, magazine clippings, interviews, reviews, audience surveys, letters from visitors, critical testimonies from disinterested professionals, …;
- 10 digital photos or images presenting the project/program nominated;
- Additional relevant information and a master list that documents all the material included in the application.
Nomination form for The Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Museums: History Alive! (PDF)
CMA Awards
Canadian Museums Association
280 Metcalfe Street, Suite 400, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1R7
Or awards@museums.ca
For more information on Canada's History, please visit their website.
