A look at our museum policy

Ian Scott, Guest Opinion
The Guardian - Published 31 January 2007

Thankfully the Institute of Island Studies at the University of Prince Edward Island is getting involved with one of the most important topics of public policy in the province (‘A central museum for our heritage’, The Guardian, Jan 17, 2006).

The current state of the provincial museum system remains a major concern as we see a lack of policy development and planning for fulfilment of many aspects of its mandate.

The board of governors of the P.E.I. Museum Heritage Foundation faces a challenge in gaining provincial support for addressing their basic needs and thus we should not be surprised if they appear forced to go along with any opportunities that present themselves — as unsuitable as these might be to the needs of the institution.

Since the P.E.I. Heritage Foundation was first established it has been telling important stories in locations appropriate to each story. From this developed a decentralized branch museum system with core services centrally located. Yet the key narrative of our Island, the waters that surround us, and the organisms that have made this place their home for millions of years, is not being told. The ongoing frustration of those who have attempted to have the natural history mandate addressed is real.

If the Board of Governors’ role is so constrained that they must simply go along with any proposal presented to them, they cannot fulfil their legislated mandate. Dependence on government funds is real, but given that reality, a proactive role in public policy development is essential to sound management.

With Dr. David Keenleyside arriving on March 4 as the new executive director, he will find the board marching along to plans of developing a new collections management and exhibition centre in the premier’s riding. This will see the core services for the provincial collection housed in a situation where even basic needs like adequate water supply for fire suppression for large structures is a major issue. This proposed development remains a highly controversial use of economic development dollars since upon completion, it will generate no new employment for an area in need of jobs. Given the public policy issues currently faced, and the arrival of a new executive director, this is an opportune time to examine the state of museum policy in P.E.I.

Aspects of the mandate of the museum system, granted by legislation in areas of natural history, archaeology, the care of artifacts and their interpretation, remain an ongoing challenge and significant issues continue to be raised publicly and in the legislature on the future direction of the museum. If the board is sincerely interested in reinvigorating the membership of the organization, dealing with these issues is clearly the best option.

It is essential that a planning study be undertaken to determine the future direction of the organization. The Institute of Island Studies has indicated willingness to conduct consultations, and invited Islanders to share their views through their new e-mail address
ourheritage@upei.ca
It is essential that Dr. Keenleyside be involved in any planning activities and crucial that a full examination take place of previous planning studies, as well as the current status of museum policy and development on P.E.I. David Keenleyside must also be given latitude to recommend appropriate directions for our provincial museum system. For that reason, it is essential that a moratorium be placed on new developments, related to facilities and programs, until such time as a clear museum development plan is in place, that meets the needs of the organization and all Islanders.

We need to make haste slowly — an immediate moratorium is essential, until proper planning has taken place.

Ian Scott was executive director of the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation during the 1980s.