Funding Supports Heritage Projects Across Province

NOTE: A list of projects receiving funding follows this release.

Nova Scotians will learn more about the province's history through improved access to heritage resources with 14 projects receiving funding from the Strategic Development Initiative Program, announced today, Jan. 6.

The program provides $200,000 in shared funding to not-for-profit groups, community museums, archives, regional development authorities and municipal governments for heritage projects.

"Increasing access to our shared history strengthens communities and makes life better for Nova Scotia's families by encouraging life-long learning," said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister David Wilson.

"The quality of applications received for 2011-12 was outstanding. We are pleased to contribute to heritage projects that will make a real difference in their communities."

The Association of Nova Scotia Museums received $22,150 to create an online collections management system using CollectiveAccess software. CollectiveAccess will allow the public and staff at community museums to access 200,000 records. The public part of the project is expected to launch in September.

The software is also used by Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax, the American Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of Women and the Arts, both in Washington, D.C.

"Being able to better share Nova Scotia's history online will be a huge benefit to Nova Scotians and to our community museum network," said Anita Price, managing director of the Association of Nova Scotia Museums. "CollectiveAccess will help with the collection management needs of the museums and will allow for collaboration with other institutions on future projects."

More information on the program can be found at

www.gov.ns.ca/cch/heritage/SDI/ .

Following is a list of heritage projects receiving funding:

• $22,150, Association of Nova Scotia Museums, Halifax, to create an open-source, online collections management system.
• $26,200, Association of Nova Scotia Museums, Halifax, to establish an outreach and training advisory service for museums.
• $10,000, Black Cultural Centre, Cherry Brook, to hire a consultant to conduct training and development sessions with its board.
• $8,973, Chester Heritage Society and the Municipality of the District of Chester, to create an exhibit on the influence of American immigrants, seasonal residents and families on the area.
• $30,000, Colchester Historical Society, Truro, to hire a design company to create the Colchester: Life in the Heart of Nova Scotia exhibit.
• $29,402, Cumberland Regional Economic Development Association and the Springhill Lamp Cabin Restoration Committee, Amherst, to hire a consultant to develop a business plan and conduct a site assessment.
• $621, The Friends of Roxbury, Paradise, Annapolis Co., to develop interpretive signs for Roxbury Road.
• $15,000, Greville Bay Shipbuilding Museum Society, Port Greville, Cumberland Co., to hire a consultant to develop an interpretive plan for the Age of Sail Heritage Centre Museum.
• $9,800, Heritage Cape Breton Connection, Sydney, to continue to produce video interviews for the Voices of Heritage project.
• $7,500, Holy Cross Cemetery, Halifax, to develop interpretive panels and a long-term site and interpretation program.
• $11,250, New Ross District Museum Society, New Ross, to hire a consultant to examine joint-fund development for seven locally-managed Nova Scotia Museum sites.
• $7,500, New Ross District Museum Society, New Ross, to hire a consultant to develop a capital fund-raising plan for the Ross Farm Museum Learning Centre.
• $15,604, Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame, Halifax, to post digitized images of its collection online using CollectiveAccess software through the Association of Nova Scotia Museums.
• $6,000, Riverfront Renaissance Action Committee, the DesBrisay Museum and the Bridgewater Development Association, Bridgewater, to install 15 pole banners to promote heritage to residents and visitors.