ANSM - Association of Nova Scotia Museums

ANSM Annual General Meeting
2026-06-19 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax) | Online (Zoom)
Save The Date!
We hope you’ll join us virtually for ANSM’s Annual General Meeting which will be taking place on Friday June 19th, 2026 at 10:00AM on Zoom.
Stay tuned for further information!

Museum Fundamentals Course
2024-10-08 13:00 - 15:00 | Online (Zoom)
Date: Oct 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov 5
Time: Tuesdays from 1 pm – 3 pm AST
Location: Online (Zoom)
Facilitator: Karin Kierstead, ANSM Museum Program Manager
This course introduces:

origins & evolution of museums
ethics, guidelines & movements that guide museums
core functions (collect, care, access)
the new ABCs (advocacy, burnout & community-led services), trends & challenges

The course format offers a combination of lecture, group discussion and exercises. It provides an excellent opportunity for new museum board members, new staff, consultants and government staff to receive a good overview of what museums are all about and the role they play in society. It is also an opportunity for mid- and late-career professionals to learn changes in the sector.
Having worked with museums in four provinces, Karin brings a combination of education and practical experience to the workshop, providing real-world examples to the discussions and exercises.
Registration Information

ANSM Members: $120.00
Non-Members: $150.00
Registration Deadline: Monday, Oct 7, 2024

Registration is now open here ➔
ANSM prefers online payments. Online payments are faster, offer greater security, and are more efficient for businesses to process. They automate transactions, saving time and reducing errors. Please contact us to arrange alternative payment options.
For more information email support@ansm.ns.ca or call (902) 423-4677.

Introduction to RE-ORG Workshop
2023-03-29 09:00 - 16:00 | Creamery Square Heritage Centre, 39 Creamery Rd, Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia, B0K 1V0, Canada
Date: March 29th, 2023
Location: Creamery Square Heritage Centre: 39 Creamery Rd, Tatamagouche, NS B0K 1V0
Facilitator: Anita Price
Enrolment Limits: 10 participants (Maximum of 2 registrants per organization)
Register OnlineWorkshop Description
This one day workshop offers a comprehensive introduction to the RE-ORG Method* and applying it to museum collections storage situations. Lunch and breaks will be included with registration fee and provided on site.
The RE-ORG Method is a step-by-step approach for small to medium-sized heritage institutions. It aims to help them reorganize their collection storage rooms and regain access to their collections for enhanced community involvement.
Learning Outcomes

Learn about the RE-ORG Method and Tools
Case Studies Review
How to use 4 Steps to collections storage reorganization:

Getting Started
Condition Report
Action Plan
Implementation

*RE-ORG Method, was originally designed by ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property) with the support of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), and adapted for distance learning in collaboration with the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI)

Collections Storage Site Visit (Optional Add-On)*
Also offered is an optional on site facilitator consultation (up to 3 hours) to review and discuss collections storage situation and possible solutions using the Re-Org Method. Onsite consultations can be scheduled in May and June. Consultations are advisory and do not include follow-up reports. Contact Anita Price (foragepei@gmail.com) for further information.
*This is an additional cost and not covered by the workshop registration fee. Please note, an on site facilitator consultation is only available to those registered for the RE-ORG workshop – this is not a stand alone option.
Registration Information

Workshop Cost $125.00
Collections Storage Site Visit (Optional Add-On) $125.00
Registration Deadline: March 20, 2023

Registration is now open. To register online please visit this link. Participants can also send a completed registration form with payment by cheque to: Association of Nova Scotia Museums, 1113 Marginal Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4P7.

For more information call (902) 423-4677 or email services@ansm.ns.ca

Museums Canada 2023 Summit
2023-03-26 12:00 - 2023-03-28 12:00 | Halifax, Nova Scotia
What is Museums Canada?
A group of museum professionals have come together identifying a need in the museum sector. Many museums are now reeling from the effects of the pandemic and are operating in crisis mode.
Museums Canada believes there is a need for dialogue, mentorship, networking, and support, not for museums but for those who work at museums or in the broader sector.
In response to that need, the Museums/Musées Canada Summit will take place in Halifax from March 26 – 28.
Register HereSummit Schedule
Halifax Summit schedule can be viewed here.
Pre-Summit Workshop
Creating a Successful Visitor Experience Brief (VEB)
Facilitator: Brian McAlonie
At the heart of a successful museum visit is a unique experience linked to a great story. Building upon the 2022 Workshop which took attendees through a Visitor Experience Planning (VEP) exercise Brian will lead attendees through a planning exercise resulting in the creation of a Visitor Experience Brief (VEB). Learn more here.

Date: Sunday, March 26, 2023
Time: 1:00 – 4:30 pm
Location: Westin Nova Scotian Hotel
Cost: $30 (Not Covered by Registration Fee or Bursary).

Bursary Information
Note: Applications closing Friday, March 17th @ 9:00 am.
ANSM is pleased to administer a bursary on behalf of the Nova Scotia Museum, to support staff from community museums and emerging museum professionals. A limited number of bursaries will be available to cover the cost of conference registration, milage and hotel expenses (for those travelling over 100 km). Applications will be reviewed in a first come first serve basis. Please note, bursaries do not cover any additional workshop fees or meals.
Eligible applicants must be a member in good standing with ANSM. Affiliate and corporate members are not eligible. Staff from federal museums and provincially directly managed museum are not eligible. ANSM will prioritize one applicant per member institution with a second application be considered if funds allow.
Applications should be directly emailed to conference@ansm.ns.ca
Bursary Application FormKindly supported by,

Reconsidering Museums Workshop
2023-03-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Online (Zoom)
Workshop Description
Reconsidering Museums is a national research and advocacy project exploring the role, value, and future of museums in Canada. The website and toolkit launched March 15, 2023. The resources developed through this project provide adaptable values-based messaging that bridges the gap between museums and their publics, substantiates the value of museums with data-driven insights, and helps shape public dialogue around the vital role of museums in our society.
Join us to learn more about the project and how the resources can help your museum better connect with and serve your communities, deepening your relationship, and therefore your relevance, to the Canadian public.
Powerpoint slides will be available in both English and French. This session will be recorded.
Workshop Facilitator

Caroline Loewen is a cultural worker, curator, and writer. She is the Communications Lead for the Alberta Museums Association and Project Lead for the national research and advocacy project Reconsidering Museums. She has over 15 years’ experience working in museums in collections, programming, and curatorial. She is passionate about helping museums become more collaborative, accessible, and engaging spaces, that promote perspective taking and dialogic learning, and are advocates for social change in their communities.
Registration Information
The event has passed and registration is now closed. View the recording here.
Registration is open to all members of ANSM, Association Heritage New Brunswick & Community Museums Association of Prince Edward Island. There is no capacity limit – we welcome multiple members from your museum/organization to register!

For more information email services@ansm.ns.ca or call (902) 423-4677

Mi’kmaq Community Engagement Day
2022-11-09 10:00 - 15:00 | Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, 2021 Brunswick Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
***Registration Now Closed

Mi’kmaq Community Engagement Day to be held at the Mi’kmaw Friendship Centre (Halifax, NS) on November 9, 2022 from 10am-3pm
Join us for a day of learning with Theresa Meuse at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre. Conversations will include Culture 101, Truth and Reconciliation, bias in the workplace, how we can work together, and more!
This event will be catered. Cost is $25 per person.

Interpretation Canada Conference 2022
2022-10-03 08:30 - 2022-10-07 17:30 | Various Locations, HRM
In partnership with Interpretation Canada, the Association of Nova Scotia Museum presents a National Conference this fall, “Storytelling: Making People Care Since… Forever,” which explores the connection between interpretation and storytelling through presentation and discussions on this broad topic. Sessions will take place throughout various locations across HRM including Saint Mary’s University, Halifax Central Library, The Halifax Citadel and the Nova Scotia Museum.
ANSM registration includes:
Monday October 3, 2022

Keynote presentation by Lawrence Hill (Halifax Central Library)
Evening Awards Showcase (Bronfman Theatre, Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21)
A special session with ANSM (Unilever Lounge on the 4th floor of the Sobey Building, SMU)

Unlocking Community Museum Collections
Many community museums in Nova Scotia contain artefacts associated with Nova Scotia’s four founding cultures: Mi’kmaq, African Nova Scotians, Acadians and Gaels. In many cases there has been a loss of cultural knowledge and stories associated with the artefacts. This summer, the Association of Nova Scotia Museums (ANSM) began the development of a digitization strategy for these collections, with a focus on making them more accessible through NovaMuse.ca, ANSM’s collections portal. The first step of this work was visiting the cultural communities to hear and understand their needs relating to these collections.
Join ANSM for an afternoon session which will include presentations and group discussions about this work and next steps. We will review the results of the first 8 community engagement sessions between Mi’kmaq, African Nova Scotian, Acadian, and Gaelic communities and community museums. We will also look at research conducted in partnership with Saint Mary’s University students.
This session, although open to all, is highly recommended for all ANSM Advisory Service member museums. A light lunch will be provided. To help us plan accordingly, please REGISTER HERE
Presented in partnership between the Association of Nova Scotia Museums and Saint Mary’s University Faculty of Arts and Department of History.
This project was funded by the Government of Canada.
Tuesday October 4, 2022

Concurrent Sessions (please note that concurrent sessions on Tuesday will be held in Fortress ‘casemates’ at the Halifax Citadel, and there may be occasional sounds of rifle or cannon fire outdoors).

Full conference schedule can be viewed here. Abstracts of the Concurrent Sessions can be read here.
ANSM extends our appreciation to the following sponsors who have made our participation in the Interpretation Canada Conference possible:

Facilities Management
2022-09-02 14:00 - 2022-09-29 16:00 | Online (Zoom)
Museum Studies Program: Facilities Management
For 2022: All workshops will be offered online on Fridays from 2-4pm with the exception of the final class which will be held on Thursday in lieu of Truth and Reconciliation day. This course is presented in partnership with Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia.
Date: Sept 2, Sept 9, Sept 16, Sept 23, Sept 29
Location: Online (Zoom)
Facilitator: Barry Rodenhiser
Enrolment Limits: 30 participants
Register Here

Learning Outcomes
This course will explore the responsibilities, skills, policies and techniques involved in managing museums facilities.
Key content/subject areas:

public safety and services
building environment
security
workplace safety
facility and site planning
Federal standards and guidelines for the conservation of historic places.

The workshop will combine formal instruction, group discussion, and a graded take-home assignment.
Registration Information

ANSM Members: $100.00
Heritage Trust of NS Members: $100.00
Non-Members: $150.00

Registration is now open. To register online please visit this link. Participants can also complete an online registration form and send payment by cheque to: Association of Nova Scotia Museums, 1113 Marginal Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4P7.
Workshop registration forms can be downloaded from the ANSM website Learning section. Visit www.ansm.ns.ca
*This workshop can be taken as part of the ANSM Museum Studies Program or on its own*
For more information call (902) 423-4677 or email services@ansm.ns.ca

Register Here

ANSM Annual General Meeting
2022-06-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Online (Zoom)

Still Image Digitization for Heritage Professionals (CCI-CHIN)
2022-05-26 10:00 - 2022-06-16 12:00 | Online (Zoom)
This online workshop is co-hosted by the CNSA and ANSM. It will be taught via Zoom by Ern Bieman from the Canadian Conservation Institute and the Canadian Heritage Information Network (CCI-CHIN).
Registration is restricted to current members of the CNSA and/or ANSM
Dates: every Thursday from May 26 to June 16 (May 26, June 2, 9, & 16)
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Cost: $25 per person paid via PayPal or cheque/money order (address and instructions are provided at checkout)
REGISTER HERE
Workshop description:
This online workshop provides in-depth training over multiple sessions on still image digitization of reflective objects and small transparencies. While various means of scanning are covered, demonstrations focus on flatbed and slide scanners. Topics include digital imaging concepts, equipment selection criteria, verification of specifications claimed by vendors, software selection and use, general considerations for archiving and publishing, digitization workflow, project planning and project management.
Technical demonstrations include setting colour profiles, image capture, metadata inspection and post processing. Workshop participants are encouraged to follow along with demonstrations using their own equipment or to practise at their own pace between sessions. Exercises, activities and case studies not requiring special equipment will also be included throughout the workshop. This workshop adheres to FADGI (Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative) technical guidelines.

Full details about the workshop can be found on the CCI’s website

Marketing & Revenue Generation
2022-05-13 14:00 - 2022-06-10 16:00
Museum Studies Program: Marketing & Revenue Generation
For 2022: All workshops will be offered online on Fridays from 2-4pm
Date: May 13, May 20, May 27, June 3, June 10, 2022
Location: Online (Zoom)
Facilitator: Carrie Lunde
Enrolment Limits: 30 participants
Register OnlineLearning Outcomes
This course will explore the basic tenants of marketing and communications to best position your museum within the market and raise the profile of your institution as well as the different ways in which museums generate revenue.
Key content/subject areas:

Gain an understanding of marketing in museum
Learn to develop an effective marketing and communications plan and tactic
Digital and inbound marketing
Social media
Customer service
Basic fundraising methods
Identifying, assessing and capitalizing on public and contributed funding opportunities
Best practice examples

​​​​​​​The workshop will combine formal instruction, group discussion, hands-on exercises and a graded take-home assignment.
Registration Information

ANSM Members: $100.00
Non-Members: $150.00
Registration Deadline: By 5pm on May 6, 2022

Participants can register online by visiting this link. Participants can also register by sending in a completed registration form with payment by cheque to: Association of Nova Scotia Museums, 1113 Marginal Road, Halifax, NS, B3H 4P7
Workshop registration forms can be downloaded from the ANSM website Learning section. Visit www.ansm.ns.ca
*This workshop can be taken as part of the ANSM Museum Studies Program or on its own*
For more information call (902) 423-4677 or email services@ansm.ns.ca
Register Online

Museums as Agents of Change
2022-04-27 13:30 | Online (Zoom)
Museums as Agents of Change
Date: April 27, 2022
Time: 1:30PM AST
Location: Online (Zoom)
Cost: Free
Museums everywhere have the potential to serve as agents of change—bringing people together, contributing to local communities, and changing people’s lives. So how can we, as individuals, rethink and expand the work of museums to live up to this potential? How can museums begin to enact change around the relevant issues in our local communities? How can we work together to build a stronger culture of equity and care within museums ? Questions like these are increasingly vital for all museum professionals to consider, no matter the size and type of the institution you work with. Through this presentation, Murawski discusses the work we need to do as museum professionals to tap into the energies within all of us to make change happen and proactively shape a new future.
Presenter Bio: After more than 20 years of work in education and museums, Mike is an outspoken advocate for change across the field of museums. He brings his personal core values of collaboration and care along with a deeper understanding of placed-based connections into the work that he leads within organizations, nonprofits, and communities. Mike is the author of Museums as Agents of Change: A Guide to Becoming a Changemaker (2021), author of the Substack publication Agents of Change, and co-producer of Museums Are Not Neutral, a global advocacy campaign calling for equity-based transformation across museums. In 2016, he co-founded Super Nature Adventures LLC, a place-based education and creative design agency that partners with parks, government agencies, schools, and nonprofits to expand learning in the outdoors and public spaces. When he’s not writing, drawing, or thinking about museums, you can find Mike on long trail runs in the forests and mountains of the Pacific Northwest.
This is the first event in ANSM’s new speaker series as part of the new TRACK program.

Interpretation II: Exhibitions
2022-04-01 14:00 - 2022-05-06 16:00
Museum Studies Program: Interpretation II: Exhibitions
For 2022: All workshops will be offered online on Fridays from 2-4pm
Date: April 1, April 8, April 22, April 29, May 6
Location: Online (Zoom)
Facilitator: Marc Bélanger
Enrolment Limits: 30 participants
Register OnlineLearning Outcomes

Creating successful visitor experiences
Use of different types of interpretive resources, including artifact, archival materials, and intangible forms of heritage
The interpretive planning and exhibition development process
Designing for interactivity in museum exhibitions
New trends in museum exhibitions

The workshop will combine formal instruction, group discussion, and a graded take-home assignment.
Registration Information

ANSM Members: $100.00
Non-Members: $150.00
Registration Deadline: March 31, 2022 by 5PM

Registration is now open. To register online please visit this link. Participants can also send a completed registration form with payment by cheque to: Association of Nova Scotia Museums, 1113 Marginal Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4P7.
Workshop registration forms can be downloaded from the ANSM website Learning section. Visit www.ansm.ns.ca
*This workshop can be taken as part of the ANSM Museum Studies Program or on its own*
For more information call (902) 423-4677 or email services@ansm.ns.ca
Register Online
